Completing your pre-licensing education and successfully passing your licensing exam are two critical components to starting a thriving new career in real estate. It can be a great feeling to know that you passed and are now ready to start your new business. However, you’re not quite done studying yet.
In fact, Indiana legally requires real estate agents to complete a minimum of thirty hours of post-licensing courses. These courses must be provided by an approved post-licensing educational organization. In order to be truly ready to legally and successfully work in the real estate industry, completing these courses is critical.
This post-licensing education is required. However, you are free to choose the format and provider that best suits your needs and preferences. Some providers offer online post-licensing classes that allow you to learn at your own pace. Others focus primarily on in-person instruction, enabling you to get credits while having the opportunity to meet and connect with your colleagues.
If you’re trying to decide which option is right for you and want to make an informed decision, you’ve come to the right place. Here at the Indiana Real Estate Institute, we are committed to providing you with the education options you need to thrive as a real estate professional.
Read on to learn more about the different formats offered for post-licensing education in Indiana.
Benefits of Online Post-Licensing Real Estate Classes
Online learning has truly revolutionized the way we approach education and offers numerous benefits that were previously unimaginable. One of the biggest advantages of online learning is its flexibility and convenience. Students can study at their own pace, on their own schedule, from anywhere in the world. This makes online learning a great choice for those with busy schedules or who live outside a major city but still have an internet connection.
When you have access to self-paced study from anywhere with an internet connection, there are no travel expenses or time commitments to worry about. Many people discover real estate as a career path later in life and already have commitments and demands on their time. Balancing work, family, and post-licensing education can be challenging, but online learning greatly simplifies this.
Online education is the spiritual heir of distanced learning and correspondence classes. Consequently, many people have the wrong idea about how modern online courses work. The best online classes are not dull and dry experiences that require you to read and do all your coursework in isolation with little to zero interaction with your classmates and instructors. On the contrary, modern online courses are interactive, offering multimedia resources that allow students to engage with the material in a variety of ways. Virtual forums and discussion boards provide opportunities for collaboration and engagement with other students and instructors, creating a sense of community and support that is available 24/7.
Advantages of In-Person Post-Licensing Real Estate Classes
On the other hand, when it comes to learning, there is no doubt that in-person classes have some distinct advantages. Perhaps the most significant of these benefits is that you get the opportunity to interact face-to-face with instructors and peers. Wondering if you’re right or wrong? You can get immediate clarification of doubts and personalized feedback that can be difficult to replicate online.
Collaboration with other students in-person is one of the most cited reasons for students preferring the in-person format. This type of interaction can provide a particularly rich form of education as students learn from both the material and each other. The immediate depth of connection and interaction formed between both students and instructors is often far greater than can be achieved in an online course.
Another advantage of in-person classes is the networking opportunities that they provide. Attending classes in person allows students to build professional relationships with their peers and instructors, which can be crucial for finding job opportunities and advancing in their careers. This is especially true in the space of real estate, where connections are so vital when getting your new business off the ground.
Indiana’s Post-Licensing Education Requirements
Whether you are a new real estate agent or an experienced professional looking to be licensed in Indiana, it’s important to always stay on top of the latest regulations and requirements. One of these requirements is a total of 30 hours of post-licensing education within the first two years of their license renewal period. The coursework will cover a range of topics, including ethics, legal issues, and agency relationships.
There are many benefits to taking online courses. However, some agents have concerns about the credibility and recognition of online course providers. It is critical to note that not all providers are approved by the Indiana Real Estate Commission and meet the same standards that are required for many in-person course providers. However, as long as you choose an approved course provider, such as the Indiana Real Estate Institute, you can have confidence in the quality and recognition of your online education.
Considerations for Choosing the Right Format
Ultimately, choosing the right format of learning for post-licensing education comes down to your own learning style and preferences. You might have taken online courses in college or studied online for a side gig. Did you enjoy these courses? If so, an online format may be right for you. On the other hand, you may prefer the collaboration and interaction that comes with in-person learning.
You should also consider any time constraints and scheduling flexibility that may come to bear on your decision. Even if you’d prefer an in-person format, if you require a self-paced course, online is going to be a better option. Consider personal factors that could come into play, such as where you live and the availability of in-person classes vs. online courses.
Learn Your Way At The Indiana Real Estate Institute
Online learning provides the benefits of flexibility, convenience, and remote accessibility. On the other hand, the in-person format provides a level of interaction and collaboration that is difficult to replicate in an online context. Here at the Indiana Real Estate Institute, we understand that it can be hard to decide which format you’d prefer. That’s why we offer the majority of our classes in both formats! If you’d like to get best-in-class education in the format of your choice, check out our courses today!
