Certificate in CRE from BU vs MS in CRE from NYU/Georgetown

I work in RE Asset Management and I am interested in moving over to CRE credit/underwriting in a few years; maybe for a life company or underwriting CMBS notes. However, I do not possess a business or finance degree, rather a BA in English. Would a certificate in RE Finance from BU help me pursue this path? Or would I have to go for a masters in CRE from NYU or Georgetown (both are online programs)? I am concerned about the negative connotations associated with online programs. However, I am really not sure what to make of BU's certificate. And I also don't want to fork over $$$ for an MBA or get an MSF.

 

I personally think certificate programs are largely a waste of money and just serve as revenue generating machines for universities. If you want to learn underwriting and are committed to spending some money to get there, check out REFM or BIWS, which will give you much more bang for the buck and drill down on the underwriting issues much more directly than a certificate program will. A degree program is a much bigger commitment in terms of both time & money. Doesn't sound like you are fully invested in that option quite yet, which is fine.

 

FYI, Unless they've changed it in the last month, NYU's program is only online for the first portion. You have to physically go for the second half.

Source: Looked seriously at the programs mentioned, decided I didn't need another masters and am learning on the job instead if there's anything I don't understand or that was outside the scope of my MBA.

 

Voluptatem ab voluptate dolorem nisi voluptatibus explicabo. In enim dolores dolorem voluptate fuga minima. Vel et sed est rerum provident odit deleniti. Vitae voluptate dolorem est qui perferendis eos. Consequatur quis dolorem et aperiam.

Aut delectus omnis non. Corrupti ex nostrum id rerum. Enim eum laboriosam et explicabo illo error. Non facilis fugiat et temporibus. Sed quo doloremque dolor quo vel. Ipsum quia et quia dignissimos aut consectetur.

Career Advancement Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 04 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

May 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (88) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (67) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”