Value of MS in Real Estate Development from Columbia

[Troy Viemeister]

I was recently accepted to Columbia University’s Masters in Real Estate Development program and am in the process of doing as much research as I can on the program and its value before I need to make a final decision (by April 15th).

I have been working for more than five years as an analyst with a top Economic Consulting firm , and during that time — predominantly outside of the office — I have developed a strong interest in real estate. I have purchased two relatively small investment properties in lower Westchester County (NY), completed my New York State Salesperson licensing requirements, taken an introductory course in real estate finance at NYU, and held a leadership position on the board of my condominium complex.

I do not have a clear sense of exactly what part of Real Estate I would like to go into, but I do have an interest in real estate investment , acquisitions, and analysis. Any advice you may be able to offer on the merits of a MS in Real Estate or on how to break into the industry — which I have struggled with for the past 1+ years — would be much appreciated.