University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Land, Agriculture, and Alternative Investing Specialization
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Land, Agriculture, and Alternative Investing Specialization

Building Wealth Through Real Assets. Explore tax, regulation, and asset strategies for building and preserving wealth across generations.

John Breen
Dr. Craig Lemoine

Instructors: John Breen

Included with Coursera Plus

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
Intermediate level
Some related experience required
2 months at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers
Get in-depth knowledge of a subject
Intermediate level
Some related experience required
2 months at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Earn a career credential
Share your expertise with employers

What you'll learn

  • Apply tax-efficient strategies to alternative investments

  • Navigate regulatory frameworks for land and real estate assets

  • Use alternative investments for retirement income and legacy planning

  • Build and adjust portfolios using alternative assets across life stages

Overview

What’s included

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Taught in English
Recently updated!

August 2025

36 practice exercises

Advance your subject-matter expertise

  • Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
  • Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
  • Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
  • Earn a career certificate from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Specialization - 6 course series

What you'll learn

  • Discover the basic regulatory framework governing alternative investments.

  • Explore alternative investments and their significance in the financial market.

  • Describe foundational principles of taxation, including the Internal Revenue Code, types of taxation, tax rates, and other elements of taxation.

Skills you'll gain

Tax Planning, Tax, Investments, Real Estate, Tax Laws, Due Diligence, Investment Management, Financial Services, Regulatory Requirements, Compliance Management, Financial Regulation, Private Equity, Financial Market, and Compliance Reporting

What you'll learn

  • Develop an understanding of the regulatory aspects of alternative investments including reporting obligations and accredited investors laws.

  • Analyze the application of various types of alternative investments such as private equity, hedge funds, real estate, and private debt assets.

  • Explore best practices for various investments and working with private equity and accredited investors.

Skills you'll gain

Financial Regulation, Real Estate, Regulatory Requirements, Investments, Due Diligence, Commercial Real Estate, Securities (Finance), Financial Regulations, Investment Management, Financial Services, Financial Industry Regulatory Authorities, Asset Management, Private Equity, Property and Real Estate, Wealth Management, Law, Regulation, and Compliance, Portfolio Management, Capital Markets, and Regulatory Compliance

What you'll learn

  • Understand various investment theories and the impact of cognitive biases on financial decision-making throughout the client lifecycle.

  • Analyze wealth management strategies, financial planning opportunities, and generational wealth transfer as consumers age.

  • Evaluate the role and benefits of alternative investments in wealth accumulation and retirement planning, considering health and financial stability.

Skills you'll gain

Investments, Investment Management, Financial Planning, Wealth Management, Private Equity, Case Studies, Asset Management, Decision Making, Financial Analysis, Behavioral Economics, Finance, Real Estate, and Portfolio Management

What you'll learn

  • Understand the multifaceted aspects of retirement planning, including various definitions and the financial risks involved.

  • Analyze diverse retirement strategies recommended by wealth managers, such as annuitization, treasury, bucket, and market-driven approaches.

  • Evaluate alternative investments and model portfolios to ensure income sustainability throughout different stages of retirement.

  • Explore estate planning fundamentals and philanthropic strategies, particularly when dealing with land, alternative, and illiquid investments.

Skills you'll gain

Land Management, Philanthropy, Estate Planning, Wealth Management, Investment Management, Financial Planning, Portfolio Management, Risk Management, Case Studies, Tax Planning, Finance, Financial Modeling, Succession Planning, Real Estate, and Investments

What you'll learn

  • Learn the basics of asset allocation, investment risks, and returns, and explore various asset classes.

  • Understand portfolio diversification, risk preferences, and how to construct efficient frontiers.

  • Discover the role of alternative investments, including farmland, real estate, and cryptocurrency, in enhancing portfolio performance.

  • Discuss the costs, liquidity preferences, and regulatory constraints associated with alternative investments.

Skills you'll gain

Portfolio Management, Risk Management, Market Liquidity, Asset Management, Blockchain, Risk Analysis, Financial Market, Resource Allocation, Financial Modeling, Equities, Real Estate, Case Studies, Return On Investment, Financial Regulation, and Investments

What you'll learn

  • Identify key financial concepts related to agricultural land, including balance sheets, income statements, and land valuation factors.

  • Summarize how land and real estate can be incorporated into investment portfolios and outline paths for further learning in alternative investments.

  • Recognize different types of real estate investment structures and asset classes, and their characteristics.

  • Describe the roles of various stakeholders in farmland ownership, transfer, and investment, including tax and risk considerations.

Skills you'll gain

Investments, Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Balance Sheet, Financial Statements, Risk Management, Market Liquidity, Financial Analysis, Property and Real Estate, Accounting, Commercial Real Estate, Business Valuation, and Return On Investment

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructors

John Breen
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
1 Course862 learners
Dr. Craig Lemoine
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
9 Courses4,395 learners

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