Real Estate Certificate

Gain experience before you graduate through a real estate certificate

Whether you are studying economics, psychology, or public policy, you bring a unique set of skills and talents to the field of real estate. The undergraduate Real Estate Certificate from the Kelley School of Business provides non-business majors with the skills to qualify for entry-level real estate jobs. This certificate offers you training for careers in property and asset management, brokerage (though it does not count towards a real estate license), appraisal, development, investment, mortgage finance, private equity, and property tax, among others.

Are you interested in real estate?

There are more jobs in real estate than there are qualified, available workers, so if you are interested in this industry, now is the time to align your training with your career goals. Combine your non-business degree with this real estate certificate to diversify your skill sets as you enter the job market. Through this program, you will gain an understanding of the financial aspects and economic principles related to real estate. Combined with your current experience and education, you will offer employers a unique perspective on the industry. Not only will you gain the knowledge to work in real estate, you will also learn more about prospective careers by connecting with guest speakers and networking with industry professionals.

Potential Real Estate Careers

  • Property or asset manager
  • Market research or development analyst
  • Appraiser or consultant
  • Leasing or sales broker

While the real estate market is booming, a lack of qualified applicants places a significant cap on companies to pursue opportunities. Offering real estate credentials to non-business majors not only creates a larger applicant pool, but a more diverse one.”

Julie Weisenbach | VP of Talent & Culture, Ambrose Property Group

Real estate is a multi-disciplinary field that requires a thorough understanding of real estate and financial analysis, as well as communication and organizational skills. Non-business students often bring a fresh perspective and innovative solutions to these areas.”

Ian Pingel, BA’23 | Liberal Arts Major and Director of Programming for the Real Estate Club

Requirements and Qualifications

To qualify for this certificate, you must be an admitted or current student at IUPUI not enrolled in the Kelley School of Business. (Kelley students may consider the Real Estate Co-Major.)

To qualify, you must:

  • Complete a 3 credit hour commercial law prerequisite course with a grade of C or higher: L203 Commercial Law or L204 Commercial Law: Honors.
  • Complete 15 credit hours of core certificate courses in the specified order.

The certificate in real estate requires 15 undergraduate credit hours plus a 3 credit hour prerequisite course. The core courses build upon one other, taking you from the foundations of real estate finance and analysis through to investment analysis. There is one prerequisite course, and the following courses must be taken in order:

  • To take R440 and R443, Real Estate Certificate students must pass F200/F300 and R305 with a grade of C or higher.
  • To take L408, Real Estate Certificate students must pass L203 or L204 with a grade of C or higher.

 

Course #Course NameCredit Hours

(Prerequisite)

L203 or L204

Commercial Law I (or Honors Commercial Law I) 

This course is for accounting majors and others who want an understanding of tort and antitrust law and the law of agency, partnership, and corporations.

3 

F200 or F300

Foundations of Financial Management or Introductory Financial Management

This course is designed to introduce the student to the basic decision models of financial management and to prepare the student to take an active role in financial decision-making in their workplace. 

3 

R305

Introduction to Real Estate Analysis

This course is designed as a general principles course, intended to offer a comprehensive overview of the field of real estate and to provide initial exposure to the methods and techniques of real estate financial analysis, valuation, and decision-making. This course provides a broad introduction to real estate topics, including real estate interests and title, mortgage finance, brokerage, appraisal, property and asset management, development, and investment analysis. Analytical techniques emphasized within this course are directly applicable to real estate, finance, and accounting careers, while also providing exposure to skills supportive of property ownership and investment. Offered fall and spring semesters.

3 

L408

Prerequisite: L203 or L204 with a grade of C or higher.

Real Estate Law

This course is designed to enhanced business decision-making and sensitivity to legal issues surrounding real estate transactions, as well as enhance the ability to analyze these issues in a systematic way. Offered spring semester only.

3

 

R440

Prerequisite: F200 or F300 and R305 with a grade of C or higher.

Real Estate Appraisals

The purpose of this course is to engage in the analyses of practicing real estate professionals by developing a practical understanding of real estate valuation methods and techniques and the ability to apply them. Primary emphasis is on the concept of highest and best use and the creation of value through the development process. This course uses a combination of analytical and case study methodologies, and students spend a considerable amount of time in class meetings discussing real-world examples, current market information, and practical applications of topics, as well as seeking to “connect the dots” and form “the big picture” of how all of these topics relate to each other. Offered spring semester only.

R443

Prerequisite: F200 or F300 and R305 with a grade of C or higher.

Real Estate Finance & Investment Analysis

The purpose of this course is to deepen students’ understanding and abilities in the areas of real estate financing mechanisms and key investment metrics. Primary emphasis within this course is placed on the development of a practical understanding and application of real estate financing methods and techniques, as well as an array of investment analysis tools for income property evaluation and decision-making.  A combination of analytical and case study methodology is used, with a focus on selecting amongst complex financing options, use of leverage, performing investor-specific before- and after-tax cash flow and effective tax rate analyses, and presentation of recommendations to clients, with an emphasis on analysis justification and explanation. Offered fall semester only.

3

 

 



Considering the Real Estate Certificate?

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Let’s discuss how the Real Estate Certificate can help you achieve your career goals. Send us an email to start the conversation.

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First step: Declare your certificate.

In order to enroll in these Kelley School courses, you must first declare the Real Estate Certificate.

Declare the Certificate

Contact Us

If you have questions, reach out to Sara Heidtmann Coers, associate director of the IU Center For Real Estate Studies and lecturer in real estate. As someone who majored in English, Sara is happy to share more with you about how the Real Estate Certificate can help non-business majors launch a career in real estate.

Sara Heidtmann Coers

Associate Director, IU Center for Real Estate Studies and Lecturer in Real Estate

VIEW SARA'S PROFILE