M.S. in Real Estate Development from NYU (Waste of time?)

[John Walter]

Let me start by saying I am a newbie to the real estate game. I have hustle, but not much else. I'm using that to rapidly increase my knowledge of the industry, and I just came across a graduate degree offered by New York University; an M.S. in Real Estate Development.

The question I want to pose is this: would this roughly two-year program be a waste of time for someone trying to increase their knowledge? And to be precise, by waste of time, I mean would I be better served to stick to real estate books, forums, podcasts, meet ups and attempt to learn the game "on my own?"

This specific degree seemingly covers quite a bit, from real estate finance, to market analysis, valuation to common legal issues. There are also courses in multi-family units and construction, which is appealing to me.

All that considered, can I learn this in a condensed format outside of this setting? You never hear of any success stories with people starting out by going to a university to learn real estate (at least I have not).

Has anyone completed or participated in a program like this?

Possibly of note, I am a Veteran, so my G.I. Bill benefits would finance near the entirety of my studies (although there are obviously opportunity costs associated with this).

Thank you for any advice and/or recommendations!

[Scott Wolf]

Originally posted by @John Walter:

@Scott Wolf I was planning on doing it in order to learn “everything” I would need to know about how to get involved in creating my own portfolio. 

Admittedly, I am quite naive on what doors, career wise, this could possibly open for me, firm or otherwise.

If you're looking to learn "everything" about buying your own portfolio, it could be good.  I would say that Development may not be the best course, as it probably focuses on new/ground-up development. Probably investment or finance would teach you more about buying a portfolio.