Real Estate Program Map

Award type:

AS Degree
Certificate of Achievement

The Real Estate program is designed with two broad objectives. The first is to prepare beginning students for entry into the real estate field, and the second objective is to upgrade the knowledge and skills of real estate professionals. Three options of study are offered: a one-year program leading to a Certificate of Achievement; a two-year program leading to an Associate Degree; and certificate programs helpful for students preparing for the California salesperson licensing exam and those considering careers as real estate appraisers. Courses are also available for individuals interested in increasing their awareness and skills in the technical aspects of real estate transactions. The successful real estate professional is a person who relates well with people and is a self-starter. The real estate industry offers many interesting areas of employment and specialization. Positions may be found in real estate sales, appraisal, property management, finance, land development and consulting. A license is required of all real estate salespeople. In addition, a salesperson must work under the supervision of a licensed broker. Minimum requirements to apply for the Salesperson Examination are: Age: 18 or older; Education: Evidence of successful completion of nine units of college level courses in Real Estate Principles, Practices, and one elective is required. Honesty: A felony conviction may result in the denial of a license. To qualify to take the State Examination for a broker's license a total of eight courses are required. Student interested in careers in Real Estate should ensure that they check relevant websites for information about licensing requirements: the California Department of Real Estate (www.dre.ca.gov) and the California Office of Real Estate Appraisers (www.orea.ca.gov)

Program detailsAward, code, department, CIP/TOP

Community of interest: BCAD Business, Cosmetology, Arts & Design
Award: AS Degree
Program code: 01312.00AS
Department: Real Estate
CIP code: 52.1501: Real Estate.
TOP code: 0511.00 - Real Estate*

Map Class Schedule

Program Schedule Report Meet with a counselor

Real Estate

AS Degree

The Associate of Science is typically awarded for Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) and Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. Like every Butte College associate degree, it has two parts: a general-education curriculum that gives you a broad base of knowledge, and an academic program where you specialize.

About General Education. GE is an integrated program of learning designed to foster intellectual curiosity, cultural understanding, critical thinking, creative reasoning, oral and written communication, and the capacity for ethical reasoning. By graduation, you'll have developed the ability to think critically, communicate clearly, apply quantitative reasoning, understand how the major academic disciplines ask their questions, comprehend diverse cultures and historical periods, and assess ethical problems — alongside the depth you build in your major.

See the 2025-26 Catalog for official program details

Semester-by-Semester Map

Term 1

Class Schedules

15–17 units

RLS 20

Real Estate Principles

3 units

This introductory course provides students with an overview of the real estate industry, basic real estate terminology, fundamental economic principles applicable to the real estate industry, and professional and ethical challenges experienced by real estate professionals. The course introduces the fundamental principles of real estate ownership, transfer, financing, evaluation, agency law and contracts. This course satisfies the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) requirement that students pass a college-level "Real Estate Principles" course prior to taking the Real Estate Salesperson License Exam. This course can also count as one of the three optional courses that students must pass prior to taking the California Real Estate Broker License Exam.

RLS 25

Real Estate Practices

3 units

This course provides students with necessary skills to engage in the day-to-day activities of a licensed real estate salesperson. Students are provided with a practical, legal and ethical foundation regarding social and professional interactions; prospecting and obtaining listings; selling and advertising techniques; negotiating; financing and completing standardized real estate forms. This course satisfies the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) requirement that students pass a "Real Estate Practices" course prior to taking both the Real Estate Salesperson and Broker License Exams.

Prerequisite: RLS 20 (or concurrent enrollment)

RLS 40

Real Estate Finance

3 units

This course introduces the issues, trends, regulations and procedures relating to real estate financing for all types of real property: residential, multi-family, commercial and special purpose. Topics include types of lenders; lending policies; methods of qualifying for loans; and uses of mortgages, trust deeds, and leases of real property. This course satisfies the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) requirement that students pass a college-level "Real Estate Finance" course prior to taking the Real Estate Broker License Exam. It can also count as the optional course that students must pass prior to taking the California Real Estate Salesperson License Exam.

Prerequisite: RLS 20 (or concurrent enrollment)

Select one:

Required

3 units

Choose one of 2 choices

BCIS 18
Introduction to Business Technology
3 units
course details
This course is an examination of information and communication technologies used in today's businesses and the impact these technologies are having on today's workplaces. The course will include examination and application of a wide range of information and communication technology tools used to support and enhance business functions and processes. Focus will be placed on solving a variety of business problems, improving organizational productivity, and achieving the goals of business.
+−
CSCI 2
Business and Computer Information Systems
3 units
course details
This course is an examination of information technologies and information systems used in business. It focuses on information systems, database management systems, networking, ethics and security, computer hardware, and software applications and development. It applies these concepts and methods through hands-on projects developing computer-based solutions to business problems. (C-ID ITIS 120).
+−

General Education: Area 2

Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning

College-level mathematics or quantitative reasoning — the toolkit behind science, business, and informed citizenship.

Term 2

Class Schedules

15–17 units

BUS 25

Introduction to Entrepreneurship

3 units

This course covers the practical considerations, challenges and rewards associated with starting and operating a small business. The course explores how to identify small business opportunities; the factors influencing entrepreneurial success; and financing, marketing, managing, record-keeping and computer applications to support small business operations. Each student will identify a business opportunity, then create a detailed business plan.

RLS 60

Real Estate Mortgage Brokerage

3 units

The course is an introduction to Mortgage Brokerage: how it works and how mortgage brokers can assist home-buyers in finding the right loan. Topics include the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Act (signed into law as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) of 2008) and the Dodd-Frank Act and their impacts on mortgage lending practices and professionals, including the new professional designation of Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO). This course satisfies the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) elective requirement for students taking the Real Estate Salesperson and Broker Exams.

Prerequisite: RLS 20 (or concurrent enrollment)

Select one:

Required

3–4 units

Choose one of 2 choices

ACCT 2
Financial Accounting
4 units
course details
This is the study of accounting as an information system, examining why it is important and how it is used by investors, creditors, and others to make decisions. The course covers the accounting information system, including recording and reporting of business transactions with a focus on the accounting cycle, the application of generally accepted accounting principles, the financial statements, and statement analysis. Includes issues relating to asset, liability, and equity valuation, revenue and expense recognition, cash flow, internal controls, and ethics. (C-ID ACCT 110).
+−
ACCT 20
Introduction to Accounting
3 units
course details
This course is an introductory accounting course designed for students with little or no prior training in accounting. Topics span the accounting cycle including analysis of business transactions, journalizing, posting, and preparation of financial statements using a hands-on approach. The course prepares students for entry level accounting careers, further study of accounting principles, or to help small business owners manage their own accounting records.
+−

General Education: Area 1A

English Composition

Baccalaureate-level academic writing — expository and argumentative. The foundation for every other course you'll write in.

General Education: Area 1B

Oral Communication and Critical Thinking

Baccalaureate-level oral communication and/or critical thinking — speaking with structure to a live audience, analyzing arguments, identifying assumptions.

Term 3

Class Schedules

15 units

BUS 50

Sales Strategies

3 units

This course introduces personal selling concepts, processes and tools. It emphasizes the importance of ethical, professional conduct; an understanding of consumer behavior; needs-satisfaction selling; and effective two-way communication. Students learn how to find and qualify prospects; establish rapport; ask questions to determine customers' needs; present pertinent product/service features, advantages and benefits; overcome buyers' objections; and close the sale. Students will participate (as buyers, sellers and critical observers) in interactive sales presentations.

RLS 30

Legal Aspects of Real Estate

3 units

This course provides students with a working knowledge of California real property laws. Topics include sources of real estate law; classification of property; fixtures and easements; property rights, liens and homesteads; real estate contracts; licensees' duties and responsibilities; property ownership and management; landlord-tenant law; and covenants, conditions and restrictions. This course satisfies the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) requirement that students pass a college-level "Legal Aspects of Real Estate" course prior to taking the Real Estate Broker License Exam.

Prerequisite: RLS 20 (or concurrent enrollment)

RLS 35

Real Estate Appraisal

3 units

This course introduces students to real estate valuation, with an emphasis on residential real estate. The course covers basic real estate appraisal principles, the systematic appraisal process, different approaches to estimating value and factors affecting market value (including the economic environment). In addition, students will learn about the role and responsibilities of the professional appraiser, trends in the appraisal industry and the process of preparing an appraisal report. This course satisfies the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) requirement that students pass a college-level "Real Estate Appraisal" course prior to taking the Real Estate Broker License Exam. It can also count as the optional course that students must pass prior to taking the California Real Estate Salesperson License Exam. This course also meets the license requirements of the 2008 Appraisal Qualifications Board of the Appraisal Foundation and is required for the appraisal trainee license, residential license, certified residential license and certified general license.

Prerequisite: RLS 20 (or concurrent enrollment)

Select one:

Required

3 units

Choose one of 2 choices

ECON 2
Principles of Macroeconomics
3 units
course details
An introductory course focusing on aggregate economic analysis. Topics include: market systems, aggregate measures of economic activity, macroeconomic equilibrium, money and financial institutions, monetary and fiscal policy, international economics, and economic growth. (C-ID ECON 202).
Prerequisite: Elementary Algebra or equivalent
+−
RLS 45
Real Estate Economics
3 units
course details
This course provides students with a basic understanding of economic factors that affect residential, commercial, industrial, rural and special purpose real estate. The focus is on financing and government policy; urban development and renewal; regulation of land use; business and real estate cycles and mortgage markets and their impact on real estate and investment opportunities. This course satisfies the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) requirement that students pass a college-level "Real Estate Economics" course prior to taking the Real Estate Broker License Exam. It can also count as the optional course that students must pass prior to taking the California Real Estate Salesperson License Exam.
Prerequisite: RLS 20 (or concurrent enrollment)
+−

General Education: Area 4

Only necessary if not already met.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

The systematic study of people as members of society — cultural anthropology, cultural geography, economics, history, political science, psychology, sociology — and the methods these disciplines use to ask their questions.

Term 4

Class Schedules

17–20 units

RLS 50

Escrow Procedures

3 units

This course provides students with a basic understanding of escrow, the role of taking an escrow and how to prepare and process the escrow documents. The course also covers the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Act, signed into law as part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) of 2008, including its impact in the preparation of the Housing and Urban Development HUD-1 real estate settlement statement. This course satisfies the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) elective requirement for students taking the Real Estate Salesperson and Broker Exams.

Prerequisite: RLS 20 (or concurrent enrollment)

RLS 55

Property Management

3 units

This course provides students with a basic understanding of property management principles and practices. The content focuses on issues relating to management, agency, contracts, and practical issues relating to property rental. Legal issues and government regulations regarding such issues as evictions, discrimination, landlord and tenant rights and rent control are explored. This course satisfies the California Department of Real Estate (DRE) elective requirement for students taking the Real Estate Salesperson and Broker Exams.

Prerequisite: RLS 20 (or concurrent enrollment)

General Education: Area 3

Arts and Humanities

How people and cultures, across time, respond to themselves and the world through artistic and cultural creative production. Visual and performing arts, art history, foreign languages, literature, philosophy, religion.

General Education: Area 5

Physical and Biological Sciences

The physical universe, its life forms, and its natural phenomena — astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, meteorology, oceanography, physics — taught alongside the scientific method that makes them work.

General Education: Area 6

Ethnic Studies

The histories, experiences, and contributions of the four autonomous disciplines: Black / African American / Africana studies, Native American studies, Chicano/a/x and Latino/a/x studies, and Asian American studies.

Graduation Requirement Choice (See GE Guide)

Department recommends BUS 62.

Career Connections

2-Year Degree Paths

Entry points students may pursue after associate-level study, technical preparation, or licensure pathways.

No locally mapped occupations in the current dataset point cleanly to an immediate 2-year outcome for this program.

4-Year Degree Paths

Roles that more often open up after transfer and a bachelor's degree.

No locally mapped occupations in the current dataset are grouped into the 4-year pathway for this program.

Graduate School Paths

Advanced roles commonly associated with graduate, professional, or post-baccalaureate study.

No locally mapped occupations in the current dataset are grouped into the graduate-school pathway for this program.

Source Notes

Course sequencing is generated from the Acadia Program Mapper cache. Career groupings use local CIP-to-SOC mappings and BLS occupation data when available. Confirm education plans with Counseling and Advising.

No NCES/IPEDS CIP-to-SOC mapping was found for this program's CIP code.

Last generated 2026-06-12T23:18+00:00

Program Snapshot

Next Steps

2-Year Degree Paths

4-Year Degree Paths

Graduate School Paths

Source Notes