School bells ring for real estate pros

Professionals in both commercial and residential real estate have several new options for taking on a new role this season: that of a student.

University programs across the city, along with the education arm of the Real Estate Board of New York, are ramping up their offerings to meet rising demand.

These programs, in turn, are helping to boost the number of real estate brokers and salespersons in the Big Apple, which grew 5.5 percent, to 56,187 at the end of 2014, according to the NY Department of State.

“We’re not only advancing education of brokers and building a network of like-minded agents,” said Shirley Hackel, an associate broker for Compass and a REBNY committee member, in reference to the trade group’s education program. “The goal is to raise the level of, profession and ensure ethical behavior.”

In addition to the following programs, Columbia Business School continues to offer a graduate program at its Paul Milstein Center for Real Estate.

Read on for an overview of this fall’s new offerings:

The Schack Institute of Real Estate

Founded in 1967, the New York University’s Schack Institute of Real Estate offers degrees and certificates in real estate-related fields. Two years ago, the institute debuted a new undergraduate degree, the bachelor of science in real estate, joining its slate of graduate degrees in real estate, real estate development and construction management. 

It is the university’s School of Professional Studies that is changing its offerings the most this year. Not only does it offer career advancement courses designed to keep industry pros up-to-date on the latest trends in real estate, but the school is also launching the new “Professional Pathways” programming, with two real estate diploma offerings.

The new diploma in real estate sales is designed for those who are seeking an entry-level position in real estate sales, rentals or property management. The program includes three courses — the New York Real Estate Salesperson’s Licensing Course, Real Estate Transactions and Real Estate Markets and Marketing — and can be finished in one semester. Tuition for the program is $1,750. The new advanced diploma in real estate brokerage is for students who hold a salesperson’s license and have working experience in the field. The program is designed to provide skills for those who want to work for a broker/owner, or to manage or own a real estate firm. It requires three real estate courses and a career development course — New York Real Estate Broker course; Real Estate Brokerage Office Management and Administration; Real Estate Marketing and Branding for Company Success, and JobFocus: Real Estate Brokerage — that can be completed in one semester. Tuition for the advanced program is $2,750.

The school has an online graduate information session scheduled for Sept. 10, and an in-person program set for Sept. 15. Visit www.scps.nyu.edu for more details and registration information.

The William Newman Department of Real Estate at Baruch College

The William Newman Department of Real Estate, part of the Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College, offers undergraduate and graduate degrees that focus on real estate investment, development and finance.

Baruch also provides continuing education courses and eight real estate certificate programs through The Steven L. Newman Real Estate Institute and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, where enrollment has almost tripled since 2011.

This fall, the school is offering a new online real estate continuing education course — “How EB-5 Programs Finance Real Estate Projects,” taught by Mona Shah of Mona Shah & Associates. Additionally, all certificate program alumni can take an Enterprise Asset Management course via an educational alliance with CUNY and Infor at no cost.

The institute will have open house programs for prospective students online on Sept. 16 and in-person on Oct. 15 and Nov. 17. Visit www.baruch.cuny.edu/realestate for more details and registration information.

Real Estate Board of New York 

REBNY debuted its most recent addition to its graduate designations, the New York Commercial Professional, an accredited credentials program with a curriculum for commercial brokers, in the last year, according to Joseph Barbaccia, senior vice president of brokerage services and education for the trade group.

Other designations also offered by the trade group include New York Residential Specialist, Certified Negotiation Expert and Certified Buyer Representative. REBNY also covers hot trends and new legislation or processes, with courses, seminars and panels featuring industry experts.

In addition, agents can sign up for online residential and commercial courses geared toward fulfilling the continuing education credits required to maintain a license. Visit rebny.org for details and registration information.