I can think of several solid "B" suburbs here for instance that I'd give widely varying grades for wanting to invest in for the long term, yet they're all very much "B" areas! 

One’s ‘ideal’ price may vary from investor to investor and is predicated your expected return on capital. 

Just need that first piece of equity from your primary residence and then you need to really cherry pick the deals to the nth degree.  

It varies from state to state.  

They don't directly influence the value of the property, but still cost the owner money.Both Cap Ex and Ops vary from house to house.  

The maintenance expenses vary depending on age and condition.

Costs vary from $25K to $70K, it depends on your offering and what work is needed.

Everyone strikes out at this from a different angle, so returns will vary.

But ultimately closed on 7/31/14.Purchase Price - $62,750Rehab - $27,637.94Carrying Costs - $3,098.39Commissions, fees, etc - $8,316Seller paid closing costs - $1,000Interest on hard money loan - $5,000Total Expenses - $107,802.33Sale Price - $135,000Profit - $27,197.67It was a pretty grueling 3 months of work, but in the end it was a great learning experience and I have a degree from the School of Hard Knocks!  

Rather than a certificate program, though, I think you are more likely to get a good analyst job with a full master's degree in real estate or, better yet, an MBA with a real estate focus.