Real Estate

Real estate development projects have many moving pieces — millions of dollars, groups of stakeholders, and teams of individuals working together to bring the projects to success, often over the course of several years. Throughout this certificate program, you will focus on how to effectively manage these commercial development projects to maximize value. Utilizing specific case studies, you will determine a project’s feasibility, develop project management skills, and systematically compare competing commercial development sites to ensure your selection aligns with your project goals. You will then create, cultivate, and communicate the project’s vision, scope, and feasibility in a development package to share with key stakeholders to gain support for your project. This package will prepare you to create a Basis of Design document which will become the foundation for the project team’s choices, rationale, and decision making throughout the process. To highlight the project’s benefits and opportunities to the broader community, you’ll also develop a financial pitch designed to realistically promote the project. As the final piece, you’ll have the opportunity to develop plans to overcome any unexpected project challenges elegantly and efficiently. Upon completion of the program, you will have the skills and practical knowledge to take a commercial development project from conception to launch. The courses in this certificate program are required to be completed in the order that they appear.

Anyone involved in decisions surrounding real estate investing, or its development, financing, or management, needs to be conversant in and informed about property management. To be successful in real estate, you need to organize the daunting and often seemingly chaotic real estate processes into a clear, logical, and coherent whole. This program provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to fully understand the integral components of the real estate business. By exploring a potential asset from the perspective of the owner as well as the property manager, you will acquire a robust skill set pertaining to the development process, project planning, and project implementation. You will begin by looking at the distinctions among different types of property maintenance issues and how to best address them in order to reduce expenses and environmental impact. Next, you will examine the role of the asset manager along with best practices for developing an asset management strategy based on the type of asset and the owner’s objectives. Using market analysis, you will acquire the skills to determine a leasing strategy to optimize revenue. The coursework will equip you with the tools you need to address property management issues including labor, code, financial management, and renovations, as well as the opportunity to explore some of the common issues and solutions associated with building systems. At the conclusion of the program, you will determine a comprehensive sustainability strategy for a property and identify the necessary steps to align it with day-to-day operations. For the best experience in this program, it is recommended to take these courses in the order that they appear.

The effective management of real estate investments is one of the most important drivers of financial performance across many industries. As markets grow more competitive, it is increasingly crucial that leaders and managers enhance real estate investment and financing decisions by unlocking value in the property rights that underlie real estate investments as well as by having an ability to “run the numbers” in a thoughtful and accurate manner. In this certificate program, you will explore the assumptions behind the property investment model for individual real estate assets. You will gain an understanding of how to use contemporary techniques in real estate market analysis to forecast rents, occupancy, expenses, and cash flows to accurately estimate the profitability of a prospective property. You will also determine how to leverage real estate capital markets – both public and private – to achieve your objectives. Using tools, you will enhance the profitability of both existing and prospective projects. By the end of the program, you will have the strategies, tactics, and tools to support your decision making, enabling you to increase the value of your real estate holdings. The courses in this certificate program are required to be completed in the order that they appear.

Sustainability has become a driving force in the evolution of real estate and construction, as industry leaders respond to increasing environmental demands, regulatory shifts, and the call for resilient, future-ready spaces. Professionals who can seamlessly embed sustainable practices into the commercial real estate life cycle are now essential for organizations aiming to exceed stakeholder expectations and create lasting value. Throughout this certificate program, you will develop a strong command of sustainable design fundamentals and progress to advanced strategies for integrating green solutions into real-world projects. You’ll engage deeply with topics such as stakeholder collaboration, technical implementation of energy- and water-efficient systems, and the use of innovative financing to unlock sustainable opportunities. Through in-depth case studies, you’ll refine your ability to evaluate sites, optimize materials, and manage operations for maximum efficiency and impact. By completing this certificate, you will be prepared to champion sustainable development, delivering projects that balance environmental responsibility, social benefit, and economic success, positioning yourself as a leader in the next generation of commercial real estate. The courses in this certificate program are required to be completed in the order that they appear.

This program provides learners with the knowledge and skills they need to understand the integral components of the commercial real estate business. Participants acquire a robust overview of the development process, project planning and management, investment and financing decisions, property valuation, property management and the cycle of tenancy, and real estate asset management. Ultimately, you will obtain practical guidance and analytical tools to enhance your career and improve your ability to develop successful real estate projects. Familiarity with Microsoft Excel is strongly recommended. The courses in this certificate program are required to be completed in the order that they appear.

Want to speak the language of real estate developers, investors, and financial analysts? This program offers the option to choose your specialization pathways while building on key pillars of commercial real estate to help you succeed in today’s competitive market. You will start with foundational courses in real estate development, where you’ll discover how to manage projects from conception to completion while maximizing value at every stage. After completing the foundational courses, you can tailor the program to your individual goals by choosing 2 of the 3 available specialized tracks: Real Estate Investing and Finance: Discover the essential tools and strategies needed to make informed financial decisions and enhance the value of your real estate portfolio Real Estate Investment Modeling: Gain hands-on experience building detailed financial models, forecasting cash flows, and mastering advanced tools like ARGUS for multi-tenant properties Real Estate Property Management: Become well versed in critical aspects of property management, including maintenance, leasing strategies, financial oversight, building systems, and sustainability practices By the end of this program, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge, strategies, and tools to effectively manage and grow your real estate investments and portfolio. Students will be most successful in this program if they have some familiarity with Microsoft Excel and a basic understanding of real estate finance. The courses in this certificate program are required to be completed in the order that they appear, with flexibility to select your specialized tracks after completing the core courses. Students will be most successful in this program if they have some familiarity with Microsoft Excel and a basic understanding of real estate finance. The courses in this certificate program are required to be completed in the order that they appear, with flexibility to select your specialized tracks after completing the core courses.

When critically thinking through a real estate investment opportunity, analyzing all options and associated risks for each potential path often becomes a daunting and complicated task. In lieu of trial and error, financial models offer a more efficient tool to stress-test deals ahead of high-stakes decision-making. In this program, you will develop modeling tools from the ground up for commercial real estate to inform sound financial real estate investment decision-making. You will build in-depth models and frameworks currently in use throughout the real estate industry. This will call for rigorous cash flow construction and scenario analysis, including the impact of deterministic and stochastic inputs in ex-ante decision-making. This certificate includes revenue and income derivation, starting from individual tenants and including complex lease structures. Most types of income-producing real estate properties are covered, including hospitality properties. You will also discover how to model conventional, fixed, and floating debt instruments and model the capital stack to inform capital structure choices inclusive of equity cash flow waterfalls. In addition, you will be introduced to ARGUS for modeling multi-tenant properties and determine how to integrate an ARGUS output into the Excel-based models previously developed. This program requires a basic understanding of real estate finance and the real estate markets. It is expected that you have a familiarity with the different valuation approaches in real estate, as this course focuses on the modeling of discounted cash flows in the context of both certain and uncertain future cash flows. If you are unfamiliar with these concepts, please consider enrolling in the Commercial Real Estate certificate as a prerequisite. Students with familiarity in Excel will be most successful in this program. In these courses, the professor uses Microsoft Excel for Windows for all videos and exercises which is different from Microsoft Excel for iOS. If you are a Mac user, we strongly encourage you to download Parallels or an equivalent virtual machine that is compatible with Microsoft Excel in the Windows environment. The courses in this certificate program are required to be completed in the order that they appear.

Real estate investing is a great way to diversify your portfolio, build wealth and security, and enhance your personal and professional legacy. With hundreds of years of precedent defining property ownership, use, development and transfer –– as well as closely related areas such as administrative and municipal law, environmental law, and the law governing landlord-tenant relations –– the laws that govern real estate ownership are vast and complex. As a real estate professional or investor, it is critical that you are familiar with the broad spectrum of real estate laws and aware of the potential pitfalls associated with owning and investing in real property. In this certificate program, you will examine key aspects of real estate practice. You’ll have the opportunity to evaluate different ownership interests, compare ownership entities, analyze real estate contract terms and contingencies, review title issues and curatives, and survey deed types and recording laws. You will then consider common lending practices, explore liens and foreclosure, investigate commercial lease terms and negotiation strategies, and prepare an entitlements strategy. Through careful examination, analysis, and interpretation of real estate law, you will leave this certificate program with the skills necessary to assess critical elements of real estate transactions to better safeguard real estate interests. Important: This certificate focuses on U.S. real estate laws and common law practices. It does not cover international laws. The information is intended for educational purposes and to help you to interact effectively with your own legal counsel. The information presented may not work for your specific situation. It is not legal advice, and taking this program does not place you in an attorney-client relationship. Always consult your attorney for guidance on legal issues. For the best experience in this program, it is recommended to take these courses in the order that they appear.

Smart hotel asset management deals are win-win situations. To create well-structured agreements, you need to understand what is motivating the property owners, operators, and lenders. But successful hospitality and real estate management doesn’t end with a successful deal; it requires managing the agreement’s execution effectively to achieve strategic asset goals. This certificate consists of six two-week courses that will give you the knowledge needed to understand the financial and operational aspects of hotel asset and real estate investment management. You’ll examine leasing agreements to learn about valuation and explore financing, equity structuring and exit strategies. By the time you’ve completed the program, you’ll know how to develop a superior hotel real estate management and execution plan.  The courses in this certificate program are required to be completed in the order that they appear.

Historic buildings play an important role in preserving cultural identity and strengthening communities, but they must also meet evolving environmental, economic, and functional demands. Sustainable preservation provides a framework for balancing these priorities, helping professionals extend the life of existing buildings while reducing environmental impact and supporting long-term community goals. In this certificate program, you will build a practical foundation in both historic preservation and sustainability. You'll learn how to evaluate existing buildings through the lens of embodied energy, assess sustainable retrofit strategies, and adapt historic structures to meet changing community needs. Along the way, you'll examine the economic factors that influence preservation projects, evaluate funding and market considerations, and explore how preservation principles can be incorporated into planning policy and practice. By the end of the program, you will be prepared to evaluate preservation opportunities, develop sustainable rehabilitation strategies, and advocate for preservation practices that create lasting environmental, economic, and community value. While this program is valuable for an international audience, it frequently references U.S. laws, regulations, and planning practices related to the built environment. You will have six months to complete the program, with the flexibility to progress at your own pace and finish sooner if your schedule allows.

eCornell online Workshops are live, interactive learning experiences lasting 1 to 4 hours and led by Cornell faculty experts. These premium, short-format sessions focus on AI topics and are designed for busy professionals who want to gain immediately applicable skills and strategic perspectives. Workshops may include faculty presentations, breakout discussions, and guided hands-on practice. The AI Workshops All-Access Pass provides you with unlimited participation for 6 months from your date of purchase. Whether you choose to attend one Workshop per month or several per week, the All-Access Pass allows you to customize your AI journey and stay on top of the latest AI trends. Hosted by Cornell faculty at the forefront of their fields, Workshops cover a range of cutting-edge AI topics applicable across industries. Workshops are offered at three levels to allow you to choose topics that match your experience. AI Foundations These Workshops introduce core AI concepts, terminology, capabilities, limitations, and practical applications. No prior AI experience is required. Best for: Beginners, AI-curious professionals, and teams starting their AI journey. AI in Practice ​​​​​​​These Workshops focus on practical skills, workflows, and strategies that help participants use AI more effectively in their day-to-day work. Some familiarity with AI tools is recommended. Best for: Professionals who have experimented with AI and want to build confidence and capability. AI Leadership and Transformation ​​​​​​​These advanced Workshops explore emerging technologies, strategic implementation, governance, organizational impact, and specialized applications. AI fluency is expected, and some Workshops may have prerequisites. Best for: AI leaders, transformation teams, executives, and advanced practitioners.

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Put AI to work across the project management life cycle. Learn how to streamline project planning and reporting, assess risks, strengthen stakeholder communications, and support better decisions, all while understanding where human judgment remains essential. You'll leave with practical approaches you can apply to your current projects.

New to AI? This 2-hour introductory Workshop with AI expert and Cornell faculty Karan Girotra will get you started; no technical background required. Learn what AI can do, practice with real tools, and gain the confidence and clarity to begin using it at work. Note: To participate in this Workshop, you will need to register for a ChatGPT Plus or Claude Pro account (~ $20/month).