Well, it's now 2019 now and online graduate degrees are getting more diverse and accepted. What are your thoughts on the Georgetown "Master's in Real Estate" program? Do you believe this program is on par with online MRED programs?
What it boils down to is that I am 5 years into my career at a Life Co/CMBS/GSE mortgage banking debt shop. Business is great and I've made it to an originator role. However, I would like to transition to an acquisition/development associate role due to that being where my true passion lies. I'm wondering if the Georgetown online Master's would check the box, or if I should pursue an online MBA at ASU or USC. The MBA or MRED programs near me are not the greatest, so whatever I go with will most likely need to be online.
Would love to hear the community's thoughts.
SLCCRE,
You are in a very similar situation to what I was in a few years ago.
Just starting to make good money in brokerage but knew I wanted to pursue an MRED/MPRE to help transition over to the development side.
I looked at ASU's program and was accepted, though I ultimately decided against enrolling as it would take me out of producing for 9 months at a time that I was just starting to make money.
I found the Georgetown online program and enrolled, graduating last May. My preference would have been to take the program on campus, however that was not the best option for me at the time and stage of my career.
I enjoyed the Georgetown program, despite being online, most of the classes do have significant student interaction/team projects (law class withstanding). I tried to be involved the best I could, going on both the Europe / Expo Real Trip and Asia Trip as well as getting back to DC for modeling and Argus classes as often as I could.
I do not regret taking the program online at all, it worked best for my intended purpose, to help transition to the development side while still maintaining my current brokerage position and income. For example, prior to having the Georgetown program on my resume, I was 0-3 with getting interviews on the development side. Post graduation, I am 4-4, being a runner up for a market lead position, turning down 2 positions and currently a few rounds in with another.
It is certainly not for everyone, certainly not if you are just trying to break into the commercial real estate arena, but for me, it was the ideal scenario to help build on my already solid foundation and help get to the next level.
Happy to discuss further with you, DM if you would like.
MG
I started the Georgetown online program this Spring and am in my second course. The content has already been everything I hoped for, and a bit more. Being online, much of it so far has been self-study with a few brief recorded presentations. I was hoping for some live presentations from professors, but am now used to the format and enjoy it.
I think an important difference, though obvious, compared to an MBA is the content. For example, my Ethics course case studies are all RE related. I expect in an MBA Ethics course the topics would be pretty broad and generalized.
I have already had an increase in responses back to development positions I've applied to. I'm currently on the PM side of the industry shooting for development.