Miami Real Estate Schools
A wide variety of schools in the Miami area offer real estate courses that may result in a certificate, undergraduate degree or graduate degree. This article looks at three institutions that are 20 minutes or less from the city center and the real estate degree programs they offer. There is also a table of facts about each school with information on enrollment, tuition, acceptance rates and graduation rates. A listing of a few other Miami-area schools with real estate programs can be found at the end of this article.
- Miami Dade College, almost five miles from downtown, offers a variety of programs in real estate, including pre-licensing, continuing education and post-licensing courses. It offers a certificate program that grants college credit as well as two associate's degree programs.
- About 14 miles from the heart of Miami, Florida International University offers a Bachelor of Business Administration - Real Estate degree. It also offers a master's degree program in international real estate that can be completed separately or paired with a master's degree program in finance.
- The University of Miami, approximately eight miles from downtown, offers a paralegal certificate program with a specialization in real estate law and a bachelor's degree in real estate. Students can also earn a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Real Estate through a regular or accelerated program. The university also offers a master's degree in real estate development and urbanism.
Comparison of Schools
Individuals who are deciding on a school need access to a great deal of information. The following table presents pertinent facts in a way that makes it easy to compare these schools.
| Miami Dade College | Florida International University | University of Miami | |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | 4-year, primarily associate's, public | 4-year, public | 4-year, private not-for-profit |
| Total Enrollment (2021) | 44,002* | 56,664* | 19,096* |
| Campus Setting | Large city | Large suburb | Large suburb |
| Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2021-2022) | $2,838 in-state; $9,661 out-of-state* | $6,565 in-state; $18,963 out-of-state* | $54,760* |
| % of First-Year Students Receiving Any Form of Aid (2020-2021) | 92%* | 96%* | 74%* |
| Acceptance Rate (2021) | N/A - open admissions | 64%* | 28%* |
| Retention Rate (2021) | N/A | 90% for full-time; 85% for part-time students* | 93% for full-time; 89% for part-time students* |
| Graduation Rate (for students who began studies in Fall 2015) | 35% (9% transfer-out rate)* | 67% (18% transfer-out rate) | 84%* |
Source: *NCES College Navigator
Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College, the nation's biggest educational institution of higher learning, has eight campuses. Real estate courses and programs are offered through the schools of business and continuing education and professional development. Besides the programs listed below, the school also has certificate programs focusing on real estate business operations and professional development, as well as career certificate programs for prospective real estate sales agents and brokers.
Real Estate Pre-Licensing
This section has three courses: a 63-hour real estate agent course, a 72-hour real estate broker course and a 28-hour license reactivation course for brokers or sales agents. The three online courses meet state requirements to become licensed or to reactivate a license. The real estate agent and broker courses both have an exam at the end that students must pass. The reactivation course has two exams. Miami Dade College's continuing education division also has a real estate exam preparation review program consisting of two online courses.
Real Estate Continuing Education and Post-Licensing
Miami Dade College offers four courses in this category: continuing education for Florida licensees, Florida real estate investments, post-licensing management guide for real estate brokerages in Florida and a general post-licensing continuing education course for real estate sales agents. All courses are offered online.
Associate in Science in Marketing Management - Real Estate Marketing
Graduates of this program may secure a job in real estate marketing or advance in the field if they're already employed. Courses explore real estate practices, real estate finance, business writing and economics. The school also offers an Associate in Arts for students who want to study real estate marketing, but, after completing the degree, want to transfer to a 4-year institution.
Florida International University
The real estate programs discussed below are offered through the university's College of Business, which is comprised of the Landon Undergraduate School and Chapman Graduate School. A number of real estate guest lecturers and speakers engage real estate students during their studies.
Bachelor of Business Administration - Real Estate
Students in this program begin with a foundation in general education and a solid grounding in business practices. Graduates may work for residential brokerage firms, property management companies, appraisal firms or financial institutions, among other employers. Students take courses in the principles of real estate, finance and real estate, investments, real estate's legal environment and international real estate.
Master of Science in International Real Estate
This accelerated master's program takes ten months to complete and is geared toward individuals working in international and local real estate. This program can be taken on campus or online. Students take core finance and real estate courses, along with electives. Courses include real estate institutions and markets, real estate finance, global financial strategy, financial markets and real estate legal environments. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree and submit transcripts, Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, a resume and statement of purpose.
Master of Business Administration/Master of Science in International Real Estate (MSIRE)
In this joint degree program, students apply separately to and must be accepted to each degree program. Students take courses in corporate finance and global financial strategy, which are required courses for each degree program. They also take seven courses in real estate. Students must complete both programs' requirements before receiving either degree.
University of Miami
The School of Business at the University of Miami was established in 1929. It offers certificate, undergraduate and graduate programs. Many of the programs have received high rankings from business publications.
Bachelor of Business Administration in Real Estate
The general education courses in this program focus on the social sciences and humanities. In the real estate concentration, students learn how to apply financial concepts to the development, investment and lending involved within the real estate field. Courses include real estate law, fixed income analysis and markets, real estate appraisal and investment, finance fundamentals and real estate finance. A Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Real Estate is also available, but the general education courses concentrate on the sciences and math.
Real Estate Law Specialist - Paralegal Certificate
This online certificate program is offered through the Division of Continuing and International Education. Applicants should have an undergraduate degree or a paralegal studies certificate after earning a bachelor's degree. Students take classes in real estate law and tort law. Elective courses include law firms and accounting, constitutional law, e-discovery, legal ethics, laws of evidence and legal research. Students learn about public regulations, easements, contracts, leases, deeds and closings.
Accelerated MBA with a Concentration in Real Estate
This program may be completed in 19 months. Students complete a paid 6-month internship in real estate before the first semester of study. They also complete a real estate internship during the summer after completing first semester classes. Students participate in a consulting project that's done in association with a non-profit organization in the real estate industry.
MBA in Real Estate
This 2-year program may be of interest to individuals who want to assume real estate leadership positions. Students take courses in project development and management, real estate appraisal and investment, finance and law. Students must complete a loan application package, feasibility study and economic market analysis.
Master in Real Estate Development and Urbanism
This multidisciplinary master's program is offered by the schools of law, business administration and architecture. The program can be completed in one year. Courses include entrepreneurship, sustainable development, project management, land use codes and policies, market analysis and real estate finance.
Other School Options
Students may also find real estate programs at Florida Atlantic University, about 43 miles from Miami. Nova Southeastern University also has a real estate program for potential developers, and it's about 20 miles away.
