Real Estate Program

• B.S., Business Administration-Real Estate Option
• Option Requirements-Advisement Sheet
• Real Estate Major Brochure
• STAR Act Transfer Plan
• Real Estate and Land Use Institute (RELUI)

• Minor in Real Estate
• Real Estate Minor Brochure

Please note that several courses have been renumbered as of Fall 2019. FIN 338 Real Estate Principles is now RE 414. FIN 439 Valuation is now RE 416 Real Estate Appraisal. The table below shows the equivalency of courses depending on which catalog year you entered. If you're under an old catalog, just submit course substitution requests, which you'll find here.

You'll find prerequisite and other information in the catalog here.

For planning purposes, note that we offer every required course every semester, subject to enrollments and budget restrictions: BLAW 280, 308, 368, 453, and 481; RE 412, 414, 416, 418, and 420.

Course Sequence for BSBA Real Estate (PDF)

Note: This information is intended to aid students in preparing for licensure but we are not authorized to make representations on behalf of the California Department of Real Estate. For more information, contact the Department of Real Estate.

• Requirements to Apply for a Real Estate Salesperson License
• How to Apply for the Salesperson Exam 
• Requirements to Apply for a Real Estate Broker License 
• How to Apply for the Broker Exam
• Experience Requirements for the Brokers Examination
• Broker's License; experience and training qualifications (PDF)
• Contact the Bureau of Real Estate; Licensing, examination, education questions
• Appraisal Licensing
• Department of Real Estate articulation agreement for Work Experience Waiver (PDF)

View information on the COBAE website

Have real estate course prefixes changed from earlier CSUN catalogs?

Courses for the Real Estate major now have the prefix “RE”. This should help avoid confusion with BLAW courses. Below is a table showing the equivalency of the courses.

I already have an agent's or broker's license.  Is it possible to waive RE 412 or 414 based on this?

No.  In order to ensure that students are adequately prepared for the required courses in the real estate program, they must take all of the courses.  This ensures that students receive the necessary preparatory education and can be successful in the higher level courses.  As a recipient of the major or minor in real estate, you will represent that you have taken a series of courses that will help you be successful in the real estate field. Note that all real estate courses are offered each semester.

I already have a bachelor’s degree. Can I get a minor in Real Estate?

No. You can’t earn a minor unless you’re a matriculated student in a degree program.  However, you should consider our Real Estate Certificate program for professionals who already have a bachelor's degree. You can find out more here.

Are all of the required classes offered every semester?

Yes.  All RE courses are offered each semester, along with BLAW 280, 308, 368, 453, and 481.

I’m a Real Estate major or minor from a previous catalog year and I still need to take FIN 338 (Real Estate Principles) or FIN 439 (Real Estate Valuation). Will they continue to be offered?

No.  Instead, you’ll need to petition to substitute RE 414 in place of FIN 338 and RE 416 in place of FIN 439.  Please review the table above for all equivalencies. Both RE 412 and RE 414 are offered every semester. You’ll find a request for substitution/waiver form here. 

Can I transfer real estate classes from a junior college or a real estate course from a non-university provider to substitute for real estate courses at CSUN?

No. All of the required courses in the Real Estate major, minor, and certificate program are upper division 400-level or 300-level courses, while courses at junior colleges are lower division 100- or 200-level courses.  Therefore, they are not equivalent as to content and level of difficulty.  Courses from private, non-university providers, even if they are approved by the California Department of Real Estate, are not academically accredited and therefore cannot be substituted.

I’m a Real Estate major from a pre-2015 catalog year. Can I substitute BLAW 368 (Law, Business & Ethics) in place of the upper division communication course requirement?

Yes, just submit the course substitution/waiver form referenced above.

I’m a Real Estate major from a pre-2015 catalog year. Can I substitute RE 412 (Real Estate Practice) in place of the Real Estate Elective Breadth and Perspective course requirement?

Yes, just submit the course substitution/waiver form referenced above.

How can I find out the most recent information about the programs?

“Like” and “Follow” CSU Northridge Department of Business Law on all of our social media platforms provided on the homepage. Don't forget to check your email regularly as well.

If I major in Real Estate and graduate with a B.S.B.A. degree, am I eligible to sit for the California Broker License exam?

Yes.  Based on an articulation from the California Department of Real Estate (DRE), students may sit for the Broker License Exam upon completion of the B.S.B.A. degree with an option in Real Estate.  The courses in Real Estate Law, Real Estate Principles, Real Estate Finance, Real Estate Market Analysis, and Real Estate Appraisal, and other business courses will be equivalent to two years of experience as a licensed salesperson. 

The DRE articulation letter about our program is available HERE.  Please refer to the FAQ below for the California course requirements for eligibility to sit for the exam and CSUN course equivalents.  Additional information about the requirements for the exam is available on the DRE website.

Does the Minor in Real Estate allow me to sit for the California Salesperson License exam?

Yes.  The minor meets the requirements to sit for the California Real Estate Salesperson Exam.  However, the minor alone does not meet the course requirements to sit for the Broker License Exam.  You would need to gain two years of experience as a licensed salesperson and complete the remaining required courses before being eligible to sit for the Broker License Exam. 

Please refer to the FAQ below for the California course requirements for eligibility to sit for the exam and CSUN course equivalents.  Additional information about the requirements for the exam is available on the DRE website.

I’m interested in getting a real estate degree.  How strong is CSUN’s program?

Frankly, we’re great.  Our business programs are accredited by AACSB (an achievement obtained by only 5% of the world’s business schools).  Our real estate classes are staffed by professors who have excellent academic credentials combined with real world experience.  We have a vigorous speakers’ series and opportunities for internships.  CSUN has one of the largest real estate program of the 23 CSU campuses and is represented on California’s Real Estate and Land Use Institute. 

Lauren Stamper is a 4th year business student at California State University Northridge majoring in Real Estate and minoring in Finance. She is originally from San Diego and moved to Los Angeles to broaden her professional network and obtain her degree at CSUN. Since coming to CSUN, Lauren has attended the ICSC Western Palm Springs Convention and will soon represent CSUN to compete in the Las Vegas ICSC Competition. In addition, Lauren has held various jobs such as interning with Peak Commercial (current), interning with Clune Construction as a project manager (last summer), working for the CSUN Wells Fargo Center for Small Business & Entrepreneurship as a Student Consultant (current), and book keeping. In her free time, she enjoys hiking local trails and volunteer work with "Pups Without Boarders."

Future Plans: 

Lauren plans to pursue a career in the commercial real estate industry after graduation. She also plans on obtaining her MBA through CSUN's part-time program while working. 

What does the RELUI scholarship mean to me? 

I am internally grateful to be a recipient of the RELUI scholarship. This award significantly alleviates my financial burdens, allowing me to dedicate more time and energy to my coursework and extracurricular involvement, while also enabling me to further invest in professional development opportunities that will support my long-term career in commercial real estate. In the future, I hope to make a meaningful impact by giving back to CSUN students, just as my professors have influenced me, and by paying forward opportunities like this prestigious award.

Alfredo Lule was born and raised in the Coachella Valley. He graduated from CSUN in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in Real Estate. One of his initial plans was to secure a position in the real estate industry immediately after college. Fortunately, he was selected to represent CSUN in the 2025 ICSC case competition in Las Vegas, where he connected with his current brokerage – Prime Net Lease. He is currently working there as an Investment Associate, turning one of his goals into a reality.

Future Plans:

Now that Alfredo has established himself in the industry, his future plans have evolved. He aims to succeed in the current role as a commercial real estate agent by continuing to grow and gain experience. Once that goal is achieved, Alfredo plans to expand his knowledge in real estate development and investment.

What does the RELUI scholarship mean to me?

I am forever grateful to have received the RELUI scholarship. It has not only eased my financial burden and reduced my stress but also supported my parents. They have been my backbone, providing for me throughout my college journey. Although I tried to handle things on my own, they didn’t like seeing me struggle, so they did everything they could to help me.

It was difficult for me to watch them give so much when they do not have high-paying jobs. My dad works in landscaping, and my mom is a housekeeper. They have given me their hard-earned money, and I understand how challenging it is to earn, especially given the demanding work they do.

This scholarship means a great deal to me because, like many college students, I struggled to balance my coursework while managing financial pressures. I have always preferred to figure things out on my own rather than ask for help. However, during my final year at CSUN, I realized I needed additional support. Fortunately, I had incredible professors who encouraged me to apply for scholarships. I took their advice, and it led me here today.

I am truly grateful to be a recipient of the RELUI scholarship. Thank you to everyone involved for this opportunity. One day, I hope to give back to my university and my community, just as they have supported me and helped shape my future.