The Citrus College Real Estate program offers one of the fastest and most flexible
ways to begin or advance a career in real estate. Approved by the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) and the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers (BREA), the program features fast-track options designed to prepare students for success
in California's dynamic real estate market. Through expert instruction and practical
coursework, students gain the knowledge, confidence and leadership skills essential
to excel in the profession.
Whether you're starting a new career or expanding your professional expertise, Citrus
College offers one of the fastest-growing real estate programs in California. Designed
for flexibility and focus, the program provides accelerated pathways to help students
reach their goals.
In just one semester, students can complete the coursework required to qualify for
the California Salesperson License Exam, with classes available online, in person
or in a hybrid format. Those seeking to advance further can enroll in the real estate
broker fast-track program to meet the education requirements for the California Broker License Exam in a single semester.
TAKE THE FIRST STEP TOWARD SUCCESS
REAL ESTATE PROGRAM OFFERINGS
SALES AGENT · REAL ESTATE SALES CERTIFICATE
Launch your real estate career with the Citrus College Real Estate Sales Certificate.
Designed to be completed in one semester, this program provides the required coursework
to qualify for the California Salesperson Licensing Exam. Students gain practical
knowledge in real estate principles, practices and finance while preparing for careers
in commercial or residential sales, leasing and property management. Graduates are
also well-positioned for roles in consulting, marketing, development and investment.
Duration: This certificate is designed to be completed in one semester.
Licensing: Completion of the real estate sales certificate fulfills the educational requirements
to sit for the state salesperson licensing exam. Passing this exam allows you to work
as a real estate agent.
Careers: This certificate opens pathways to careers in commercial and residential sales, leasing
and property management. Licensed professionals are also well-qualified for roles
such as transaction coordinator, real estate financial analyst, consultant, marketing
specialist, developer, private investor or entrepreneur.
Required Classes: There are only three required courses to be able to start this exciting career:
Real Estate Principles (REAL 210)
Real Estate Practices (REAL 212)
and one course from the following list:
Business Law (BUS 160)
Accounting 100/101 (ACCT 100 or ACCT 101)
Real Estate Finance (REAL 214)
Legal Aspects of Real Estate (REAL 216)
Real Estate Property Management (REAL 220)
Real Estate Economics (REAL 222)
Escrow (REAL 224)
Appraisal I (REAL 226)
Students intending to complete the real estate broker certificate (below), it is recommended
that students take either Accounting (ACCT 100) or Accounting 101 (ACCT 101)
BROKER · REAL ESTATE BROKER CERTIFICATE
Designed to be completed in two semesters — or just one additional semester for students
who already hold the real estate sales certificate — this program fulfills the education
requirements to sit for the California Broker Licensing Exam. Licensed brokers can
negotiate higher commissions, manage their own offices and open independent brokerages.
Students gain in-depth knowledge through eight required courses, three of which overlap
with the sales certificate. Select courses are offered in fast-track four-week online
formats, making it easier to complete your broker education and move forward in the
industry.
Duration: This certificate is designed to be completed in two semesters, but students who have
already earned the real estate sales certificate may finish in just one additional
semester.
Licensing: Completion of the real estate broker certificate fulfills the educational requirements
to sit for the state broker licensing exam. Passing this exam allows you to work as
a real estate broker.
Careers: Brokers can perform all the same duties as agents, with the added advantage of negotiating
higher commissions and the opportunity to open and manage their own real estate brokerage.
Required Experience: Either a minimum of two years full-time licensed salesperson experience within the
last five years, or two years of unlicensed equivalent experience, or a four-year
degree with a major/minor in real estate is required.
Required Classes: There are eight courses required to complete the real estate broker certificate,
three of which are also part of the real estate sales certificate.
Real Estate Economics (REAL 222) or Accounting 100/101 (ACCT 100 or ACCT 101)
Real Estate Practice (REAL 212) – required for the sales certificate
Real Estate Finance (REAL 214)
Legal Aspects of Real Estate (REAL 216)
Appraisal I (REAL 226)
and three courses from the following list:
Business Law (BUS 160)
Real Estate Principles (REAL 210) – required for the sales certificate
Real Estate Property Management (REAL 220)
Escrow I (REAL 224)
Appraisal II (REAL 228)
Students intending to complete the real estate appraisal certificate, it is recommended
that students take Appraisal II (REAL 228). By completing this elective course, students
will only need to complete one more class, Residential Report Writing (REAL 230),
to also fulfill the requirements for the real estate appraisal certificate.
REAL 214, REAL 216, REAL 222, REAL 224 and REAL 226 are each available in a four-week
online format (a.k.a. Fast-Track). Review the Broker Fast-Track tab for more information.
BROKER FAST TRACK PROGRAM
Get on the fast track to your real estate career with Citrus College's Real Estate
Broker Fast-Track program. This accelerated pathway lets you complete all education
requirements for the California Broker's Examination in as little as 16 weeks. Courses
are taught by licensed, experienced professionals and offered entirely online for
maximum flexibility. Whether you're building on your salesperson license or ready
to take the next step, this program helps you move forward — faster.
Advance your real estate career quickly. The Citrus College Real Estate Broker Fast-Track
accelerated pathway helps students meet the education requirements for the California
Broker's Examination while offering maximum flexibility through fully online courses.
Each accelerated class condenses a traditional 16-week course into just four weeks,
allowing students to complete two semesters of coursework in a 12-week block.
The program features licensed, experienced faculty and provides all coursework needed
to fulfill broker license education requirements in as little as 16 weeks. Students
who have already completed the three courses required for the real estate salesperson
certificate typically need only five additional classes to qualify for broker education.
Visit Steps to Apply and Register to become a Fast-Track student and start moving your real estate career forward.
For more information about the real estate program, please contact Dr. Timothy R.
Durfield via email at tdurfield@citruscollege.edu
SPRING 2026 REAL ESTATE BROKER FAST-TRACK ONLINE CLASSES (Most classes can be completed in as little as four weeks!)
Online Fast-Track Classes
Dates, Instructor
REAL 222 Real Estate Economics
2/18–3/14, J. Munoz
REAL 226 Appraisal I
2/18–3/14, S. Liebel
REAL 228 Appraisal II
3/16–4/11, S. Liebel
REAL 214 Real Estate Finance
3/16–4/11, C. Byerly
REAL 216 Legal Aspects of Real Estate
4/20–5/16, C. Byerly
REAL 230 Residential Report Writing
4/20–5/16, S. Liebel
REAL 224 Escrow I
4/20–5/16, G. Macisaac
REAL 215 Real Estate Investments
5/18–6/12, R. Parsons
USPAP
5/2–5/3 and 5/16–5/17 *Four day class
* Schedule subject to change based on course enrollments.
Want to take broker classes in-person? Check out our evening real estate broker program on the Citrus College class schedule.
It's easy to start the program! Apply to Citrus College, then register for one or more classes online.
You may also contact admissions and records at (626) 914-8511. Please refer to fees and tuition information for specifics on college tuition costs.
APPRAISAL · REAL ESTATE APPRAISAL CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT
Launch your career as a real estate appraiser in just one semester through the Citrus
College Real Estate Appraisal Certificate. With only three required courses, you'll
gain the skills to evaluate properties, analyze markets and prepare professional appraisal
reports. This certificate fulfills most of the educational requirements to sit for
the BREA Appraisal Licensing Exam — opening the door to a high-demand field with strong
earning potential and clear pathways for advancement.
Duration: This certificate is designed to be completed in one semester.
Licensing: Completion of the real estate appraisal certificate fulfills most of the educational
requirements to sit for the BREA Appraisal Licensing Exam. Upon completion of the
real estate appraisal certificate, students still need to complete a one day, BREA
approved USPAP course before applying to take the trainee licensing exam.
Careers: Real estate appraisal is a growing field with strong earning potential and diverse
career opportunities.
Required Classes: There are three courses required to complete the real estate appraisal certificate.
Appraisal I (REAL 226) – required for the broker certificate
Appraisal II (REAL 228) – recommended elective for the broker certificate
Residential Report Writing (REAL 230)
Job Description: Evaluate properties to determine market value and condition using both internal data
and external research. Conduct on-site inspections, analyze local market trends and
prepare detailed written appraisal reports.
Average Salary: $74,000 The average annual income for real estate appraisers varies significantly depending
on license level, experience, specialization and location. Keep in mind: most appraisers
are self-employed or work on fee-per-assignment models, so income can be highly variable
depending on workload, market demand and geographic region.
Real Estate Appraiser Levels: trainee appraiser, residential appraiser, certified residential appraiser, certified
general appraiser.
Real Estate Appraiser Trainee/Residential Appraiser Licensing Requirements
Applicant must be at least 18 years old
Education requirements
Must complete the required core curriculum, totaling 150 hours
Required classes/topics
Basic appraisal principles (30 hours)
Basic appraisal procedures (30 hours)
Fifteen hour national USPAP course (15 hours)
Residential market analysis and highest and best use (15 hours)
Residential appraiser site valuation and cost approach (15 hours)
Residential sales comparison and income approaches (30 hours)
Residential report writing and case studies (15 hours)
Complete BREA application forms, submit fees and complete live scan fingerprinting
Pass exam and apply for license to be issued
Gain 1,000 hours of initial experience and work a minimum of six months
Apply for license upgrade to residential appraiser
*College degree NOT required to be residential appraiser.
*Citrus College Real Estate Appraisal Certificate of Achievement fulfills all educational
requirements except the 15-hour USPAP course and BREA approved four-hour courses on supervisory/trainee
and state and federal law.
Want to take USPAP course at Citrus College? Check the Citrus College class schedule each semester for USPAP course offerings.
*To become a certified residential appraiser or certified general appraiser more education
is required.
Students are advised to check current Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers or other applicable agency academic requirements prior to registering for any course
to ensure that it satisfies current requirements.
REAL ESTATE INVESTING CERTIFICATES: INVESTING I AND INVESTING II
INVESTING I CERTIFICATE: Gain the insight and skills to make smart real estate investment decisions. Designed
to be completed in just one semester, this program builds practical knowledge in financing,
property management and residential investment strategies. Through three focused courses
— real estate principles, real estate finance and real estate property management
— students develop a solid foundation to navigate lending policies, analyze opportunities
and manage successful investment properties.
Duration: This certificate is designed to be completed in one semester.
Outcome: This certificate offers practical, real-world knowledge and professional skills needed
to understand real estate financing, property management, real estate investing, lending
policies and financing transactions in residential properties.
Required Classes: There are three courses required to complete the real estate appraisal certificate.
Real Estate Principles (REAL 210)
Real Estate Finance (REAL 214)
Real Estate Property Management (REAL 220)
INVESTING II CERTIFICATE: Expand your investment expertise with the Citrus College Real Estate Investing II
Certificate. Designed to be completed in one semester, this program builds on core
concepts of real estate investment, finance and market analysis. Students learn to
evaluate investment opportunities, perform deal analysis and understand market dynamics
across different types of real estate. Through three focused courses — real estate
practice, advanced real estate finance and investments, real estate economics — students
gain the skills and confidence to make informed, strategic investment decisions.
Duration: This certificate is designed to be completed in one semester.
Outcome: This certificate provides a solid foundation in real estate investment principles
and techniques, offering a broad overview of property types and market opportunities.
Students learn how to evaluate deals, analyze investment decisions and understand
market dynamics — preparing them for success in real estate investment careers.
Required Classes: There are three courses required to complete the real estate appraisal certificate.
Real Estate Practice (REAL 212)
Advanced Real Estate Finance and Investments (REAL 215)
Real Estate Economics (REAL 222)
REAL ESTATE BROKER ASSOCIATE IN SCIENCE DEGREE
This comprehensive program opens doors to careers in residential and commercial sales,
escrow, title, investment, leasing, property management and more. It satisfies the
California Department of Real Estate (DRE) education requirements for both salesperson
and broker licenses and offers a seamless path for students planning to transfer to
four-year universities. Gain the knowledge, confidence and credentials to thrive in
today's competitive real estate market.
Advance your career with the power of real estate education. Review the college catalog entry for detailed information about the Citrus College Real Estate Associate's Degree
in Science.
Students are advised to check current California Bureau of Real Estate or other applicable agency academic requirements prior to registering for any course
to ensure that it satisfies current requirements as a mandatory or elective course
for the real estate sales or real estate broker licenses.
The CalBRE and other applicable agency requirements change periodically and the Citrus
College Real Estate program does not warrant that the listed courses meet current
requirements.
CAREERS IN REAL ESTATE
Find detailed information about real estate career paths through Career Coach, powered
by Lightcast. This interactive resource links your education to real-world opportunities
and provides up-to-date insights on wages, job demand and regional growth. Identify
the roles that match your goals and learn how Citrus College real estate programs
can help you prepare for success.
Advance your real estate career quickly. The Citrus College Real Estate Broker Fast-Track
accelerated pathway helps students meet the education requirements for the California
Broker's Examination while offering maximum flexibility through fully online courses.
Each accelerated class condenses a traditional 16-week course into just four weeks,
allowing students to complete two semesters of coursework in a 12-week block.