There are many paths to a successful career in the apartment industry. Many people find their way into the sector after getting a bachelor’s degree in finance, marketing, history, psychology, etc. In other words, they don’t necessarily go to school with the stated goal of going into real estate. That’s the good news. You don’t have to have a specialized degree to succeed in apartments.
But if you know you are interested in a career in real estate, there are an increasing number of undergraduate and graduate degrees that offer concentrations in real estate. They can range from business degrees with a real estate focus, degrees in construction management and degrees in property management.
This is not an exhaustive list, but it is a good starting place to explore some of the variety of institutions that offer real estate -related programs. In addition to college-based programs, there are also industry certification and training programs that can help you develop the specific skills and knowledge to help you succeed.
Colleges and Universities
The American University
Graduate programs
Arizona State University
Graduate programs
Auburn University
Graduate programs
Ball State University
Undergraduate, Graduate, Certificate program. Known for its apartment/residential management degrees and close connection with the industry.
Baruch College
Undergraduate, Graduate programs
Baylor University
Undergraduate programs
California Polytechnic Institute, Pomona
Undergraduate Certificate programs
California State University, Northridge
Undergraduate programs
Central Michigan University
Undergraduate programs
Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Undergraduate Certificate programs
Clemson University
Graduate programs
Colorado State University
Undergraduate programs
Columbia Business School
Graduate programs
Cornell University
Graduate programs with concentrations in investment, development, sustainable development, finance, marketing and market analysis and more.
DePaul University
Undergraduate, Graduate programs
Emory University
Graduate programs
Florida State University
Undergraduate, Graduate, Certificate programs
George Mason University
Graduate programs
Georgetown University
Graduate programs
Georgia State University
Undergraduate, Graduate, Doctoral, Certificate programs
Harvard University
Graduate programs
- Harvard University announces new Master in Real Estate Degree starting in Fall 2022.
For more information about the program, please visit the MRE website, email infomre@gsd.harvard.edu.
Indiana University, Bloomington
Undergraduate programs
Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
Graduate program with specializations development, investment management, valuation and appraisal and more.
Marquette University
Undergraduate programs
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
One-year program in real estate development
Monmouth University
Undergraduate, Graduate, Certificate programs
New York University
Undergraduate and Graduate programs in real estate and construction management
Northwestern University
Graduate programs
The Ohio State University
Undergraduate programs
Old Dominion University
Undergraduate programs
Penn State University
Undergraduate, Doctoral programs
Portland State University
Undergraduate, Graduate programs
San Diego State University
Undergraduate, Graduate, Doctoral, Certificate programs
Southern Methodist University
Undergraduate, Graduate programs
Syracuse University
Undergraduate programs
Temple University
Undergraduate programs
Texas A & M University
Graduate programs
Texas Christian University
Undergraduate programs
Texas Tech University
Undergraduate programs
Tulane University
Graduate programs
University of Alabama
Undergraduate programs
University of Baltimore
Undergraduate programs
University of California, Berkeley
Graduate, Doctoral programs
University of California, Los Angeles
Graduate programs
University of Central Florida
Undergraduate programs
University of Cincinnati
Undergraduate programs
University of Colorado
Undergraduate, Graduate, Certificate programs
University of Connecticut
Undergraduate, Graduate programs
University of Denver
Undergraduate, Graduate and Certificate programs, including programming in real estate and construction management.
University of Florida
Undergraduate (Minor only), Graduate programs
University of Georgia
Undergraduate, Graduate, Doctoral programs
- College of Family and Consumer Sciences
Housing Management & Policy Major - with an emphasis in Residential Property Management
University of Indianapolis
Master program
University of Maryland
Undergraduate, Graduate, Doctoral, Certificate programs
University of Memphis
Undergraduate, Certificate programs
University of Miami
Undergraduate, Graduate programs
University of Mississippi
Undergraduate programs
University of Missouri, Columbia
Undergraduate programs
University of North Carolina
Graduate programs
University of North Carolina Charlotte
Graduate, Certificate programs
University of North Florida
Undergraduate programs
University of North Texas
Undergraduate programs
University of Pennsylvania at Wharton
Undergraduate, Graduate programs
University of San Diego
Undergraduate, Graduate programs
University of South Carolina
Undergraduate programs
University of Southern California
Undergraduate, Certificate programs
University of Southern Mississippi
Undergraduate programs
University of Texas at Arlington
Undergraduate, Graduate, Certificate programs
University of Texas at Austin
Graduate, Certificate programs
University of Texas at San Antonio
Undergraduate, Graduate programs
University of Utah
Graduate program
University of Washington
Undergraduate, Graduate programs
University of West Georgia
Undergraduate programs
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Undergraduate, Graduate, Doctoral programs
Villanova University
Undergraduate (Minor only) programs
Virginia Commonwealth University
Undergraduate, Graduate programs
Virginia Tech
Undergraduate programs, including a nationally recognized program in Residential Property Management
Wichita State University
Undergraduate programs
York University
Graduate program
INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
The National Apartment Association (NAA) and Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) provide career development programs to help newcomers to the industry learn the skills necessary to succeed. In addition, courses are available for those already in the industry looking to further their career objectives.
NAA’s Education Institute (NAAEI) offers several certification/designation programs, and many of the courses are offered online to help individuals get started or advance their careers within the industry. Their designations include:
- Certified Apartment Manager (CAM)
- Certificate for Apartment Maintenance Technician (CAMT)
- Certified Apartment Leasing Professional (CALP)
- Certified Apartment Portfolio Supervisor (CAPS)
- Certified Apartment Supplier (CAS)
- Independent Rental Owner Professional (IROP)
- Specialist in Housing Credit Management (SHCM)
- Credential for Green Property Management (CGPM)
IREM offers a wide variety of educational programs for professionals of every experience level, from on-site managers to corporate executives. Its credentials include: