REALTOR® University, the only advanced online education institution centered exclusively on real estate, has received accreditation from the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, or DEAC, an organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education.
Since its inception in 2011, accreditation has been a top priority for REALTOR®University; the process takes nearly two years and can only be started once the school has already been stably operating for two years. REALTOR® University first enrolled students in 2012 and began the accreditation process in 2014.
“Accreditation is a rigorous process that every new university must go through to be recognized as a legitimate and credible institution of higher learning,” says Sharon Millett, chair of REALTOR®University’s Board of Regents. “REALTOR®University has met the DEAC’s strict criteria for education, ethical and business practices, affirming our program’s unique blend of practical and applied learning for real estate professionals.”
REALTOR®University was established to provide a Master’s degree program for real estate professionals and bring even more value to their home buyer, seller and investor client. “As the voice of real estate, the National Association of REALTORS®created REALTOR® University to serve as the ultimate resource for advanced education in real estate and to raise the bar of professionalism in our industry,” says NAR President Tom Salomone. “We are excited that this is only the beginning for the university, and there are plans underway to expand the programs available and further advance professionalism in our industry.”
Courses are offered in eight-week sessions, six times annually and taught by Ph.D.-level academics and practitioners. The program includes a business and real estate core curriculum with concentrations in Residential Sales, Marketing and Management; Commercial Real Estate Investment and Analysis; Real Estate Asset and Property Management; Real Estate Appraisal and Valuation Services; and Real Estate Association Management.
“In receiving initial accreditation from DEAC, REALTOR®University provided evidence of its commitment to educational standards and ethical business practices that assure quality, accountability and meaningful opportunities for students to engage fully in higher learning,” says Dr. Leah K. Matthews, executive director of DEAC. “The DEAC is pleased to welcome the institution to the DEAC community of educators, where a focus on service to students reflects a longstanding commitment to best practices in teaching and learning in distance education.”
For more information, visit www.RealtorU.com.
