• MASTERS CERTIFICATE IN REAL ASSETS INVESTMENT

    Alternative investments represent a growing component of institutional investment portfolios and have given rise to a thriving global market in private investment funds. Investors have different choices with alternative investments – these choices set them apart from traditional investments such as publicly traded stock and bonds. This program deals with real assets and specifically with unlisted real estate and unlisted infrastructure (i.e. privately held and with limited liquidity). It also includes direct ownership of infrastructure by the large institutional funds.

    Graduates will gain an understanding of real asset investment, empowering investors, managers, developers, asset owners and service providers towards informed investment decision-making. The ecosystem’s diverse stakeholders will be equipped to foster productive collaborations supporting effective engagement of private capital.

  • Certification
    Upon completion of the program, graduates are awarded the globally recognized Masters Certificate in Real Assets Investment, from the Schulich School of Business, York University, Toronto, Canada.

    Delivery
    Live virtual 2-2.5-hr sessions, meeting once or twice per week. Internet access and basic video technology is required. Schedules are arranged to minimize impact on work hours with consideration of time zones across the world.

    Applications Accepted for 2025
    Open for Applications

    Cost
    US$6,550 plus applicable taxes

    Contact us
    Please forward enquiries to Program Director, Karen Shlesinger at kshles@schulich.yorku.ca

“Acquire an understanding of private investment in real assets, with a focus on infrastructure and its convergence with real estate. Develop the knowledge and skills for alignment across the ecosystem to make projects 'bankable' from an investment perspective. An unmatched opportunity to interact with some of the world’s leading infrastructure investors and advisors to the sector.”

James McKellarProfessor of Real Estate and Infrastructure and former Associate Dean, External, Schulich School of Business. Author of Infrastructure as Business, The Role of Private Investment Capital.

The Program Overview

Program Highlights

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The Masters Certificate in Real Assets Investment (MCRA) responds to three structural shifts in the market for real assets.  First, the recent and rapid rise of private investments in alternatives particularly by large global institutional investors and unlisted funds; second, the increasing convergence and complexity of real estate and infrastructure as asset classes and the influence this is having on investment management; and finally, a strategic shift by investors toward acquiring operating businesses in infrastructure and real estate as a more holistic approach to capturing the full value of these assets and responding to shifts in the marketplace.

The program is organized around 5 modules and is directed at an international audience. The curriculum is delivered online via virtual-live sessions and in-person experiences, utilizing a combination of lectures, seminars, group discussions, and case studies. Networking and class participation contribute to the learning. Instruction involves both academics and industry leaders in their respective fields. Those completing the program will be awarded a Masters Certificate in Real Assets Investment from York University.

Who is the Program for?

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  • Professionals new to private markets: Individuals looking to acquire new skills and knowledge or improve their current understanding of the growing business of private investments in real assets.
  • Professionals in private markets: Investors, managers, developers or asset owners looking to enhance their understanding of allocating to alternative investments.
  • Professionals in the public or non-profit sector: Public officials at municipal, state/province or federal level, and regulatory bodies, as well as staff at non-profit organizations, who wish to better understand the perspective of private investment capital in expectation of engaging private capital in their infrastructure projects.
  • Consultants: Service providers, such as consultants, working in the investment industry who wish to expand their knowledge and understanding of the real assets industry.

Learning Outcomes

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  • Develop your understanding of the investment universe of real assets, and the perspective of private capital.
  • Build the critical capacity and skillset to maximize successful investment in real assets that are sustainable and resilient.
  • Learn how to manage risk and structure bankable and resilient projects.
  • Identify AI and sustainability related infrastructure opportunities, and learn strategies to overcome challenges on the path to Net-Zero.

Program Curriculum

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Completion of all five modules and the final project are a requirement to be awarded the York University, Schulich School of Business, Masters Certificate.

Module 1: Real Asset Investment: Building a Strong Foundation

Module 2: Infrastructure Investment: Powering Growth and Opportunity

Module 3: Aligning Portfolios with Sustainability and Growth

Module 4: Maximizing Value: The Synergy of Infrastructure and Real Estate

Module 5: Strategy to Innovation: Process, Business Models and Future Trends