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Real Estate School
Related Topics: Real Estate Agent Programs | Real Estate Agent Career Zone
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Learning about real estate is slightly different from many other occupations. For one thing, the goal of education in this field is rarely the completion of a degree. Most real estate agents don’t earn degrees specifically in real estate, although there are some schools that do offer associate or bachelor’s degrees in the field.
Although all real estate agents in the U.S. must be licensed in order to buy and sell homes, most work towards their licenses using at-home study courses or adult education programs. |
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Real Estate Schools & Education
There are really only two main things a real estate agent must do – be a high school graduate and pass the written exam for their license. However, the world of real estate has become more and more complex and agents are expected to know more about legal regulations and real estate technology than ever before. Because of this, more real estate agencies are looking for candidates with college degrees or at least some post-high school education in a related field.
Unlike some career fields, there's no checklist of things to look for in a degree program for a future real estate agent.
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There are many different degree fields a future real estate agent can pursue – finance, business administration, law, communications, marketing, information technology, and more. If you’re thinking of eventually starting your own agency, you may want to focus on business courses in accounting and small business administration. It’s helpful to decide what type of real estate you plan to focus in – small homes, business properties, etc. – since this will give you an idea of what courses will be most helpful.
There are over a thousand universities and colleges in the U.S. that offer degrees in real estate, although these degrees aren't necessary to be an agent. You can gain an associate or bachelor’s degree from most of these programs, and a few even offer graduate degrees in real estate development and management. In addition, you may find that major universities offer certificate programs in the field that you can use to supplement a degree in a related area.
Most agents, though, prefer to take classes sponsored by the National Association of Realtors. These classes cover many of the basics of being an agent, including the legal and financial aspects of the field. Most of these courses are designed to prepare future agents for the licensing exam, and many states require agents to take a number of these courses before taking their licensing tests. Often, real estate agencies offer continuing education courses for their agents or will help pay tuition for agents who want to pursue a degree in real estate.
The licensing examination is a comprehensive written exam that covers everything from basic real estate transactions to the laws surrounding buying and selling properties. In addition to passing this exam, most states require agents to have a minimum of 30 hours of real estate classes. This license must be renewed every one to two years, and many states require agents to attend some continuing education courses in order to renew their licenses. These continuing education courses may cover a variety of topics, such as new laws regarding real estate, different ways of marketing a property, or new advances in technology.
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