Degree Programs

Master of Real Estate Development

School and Term:  The MRED degree is awarded by the Graduate School of the University of Maryland.  Students may apply and be admitted in either the fall (August) or spring (January semesters).  Click on ADMISSIONS.   In certain circumstances students may take a course in the summer or winter prior to their official admission.

Credit Requirements: Students with applicable academic preparation and/or appropriate real estate industry experience may complete the degree with 33 credits.  The conditions for awarding of the degree are:  Completion of 11 courses with a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or better, Public Presentation of the Capstone Project, and Submission of a Written Capstone Report.

All students must meet the above credit requirements.  Up to an additional 9 credits (3 courses) may be required for students without sufficient finance or other real estate academic or work experience in Microeconomics, Accounting, and Finance.  Students with no or limited experience with financial tools, professional writing or, public presentations may be required to take supplemental non-credit course work prior to, or in conjunction, with their real estate course work.

Graduate courses taken at other institutions that qualify to meet core requirements may not be transferred for credit, but may be substituted with advanced electives.  Subject to approval of the Program Director, up to 6 credits taken in other programs at the University of Maryland, such as, public policy, business, planning, architecture, engineering, may be applied towards the MRED degree.

Curriculum:

            Seven Core Courses (or equivalents):

                        RDEV 688A  Development Law, Process and Ethics
                        RDEV 688B   Fundamentals of Development and Finance (Finance I)
                        RDEV 688C  Design and Construction Management
                        RDEV 688D  Principles of Property Management
                        RDEV 688E  Negotiating Agreements; Resolving Conflicts
                        RDEV 688G  Planning Policy, Practice and Politics
                        RDEV 688J  Principles of Urban Design

            Three Electives Courses from Concentrations:  (not all courses offered every term or every year)

                        Finance and Investments
                        Property and Asset Management
                        Sustainable Design and Development
                        Public Policy and Planning
                        Affordable Housing
                        Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse
                        International Study Abroad

            One Capstone Seminar:

                        RDEV 688I (research or project path)

Time to Completion:  Students may elect or be advised to follow the Accelerated Path (12 months), Full Time Path (18 months), or Part Time Path (24-36 months) depending on their academic preparation, work experience, current work load or other personal factors.  Additional time would be needed for students taking additional required or supplemental coursework.  Students may modify their choice of path each term with program approval.  Maximum time permitted to completion is five years.  A break in continuous attendance each fall and spring term may be approved upon filing a formal request. 

Course Sequences: The MRED program is not a cohort program and all courses are not offered every term.  RDEV 688A and RDEV 688B are required to be taken in the first term, unless otherwise approved.  Thereafter, core course sequences and electives may be tailored to a student's particular background and interests and are not required to be taken in any particular sequence.  For example, a student with an undergraduate degree in design or law could substitute more advanced courses for the standard core course with advice and approval of the Director.

Accelerated Program

• Typical 12-Month Course Sequence for Students Starting in the Fall
• Typical 12-Month Course Sequence for Students Starting in the Spring

Full Time Program

• Typical 18-Month Course Sequence for Students Starting in the Fall
• Typical 18-Month Course Sequence for Students Starting in the Spring

Part Time Program

• Course Sequence will vary depending on number and availability of courses selected available

Master of Real Estate Development for Federal Managers

This 33-credit program results in the full MRED degree and is offered jointly by the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and the School of Public Policy. The School of Public Policy provides certain courses as well as administrative support. There are 10 required courses with a final thesis/capstone project over an intensive on-campus schedule. The program is not offered in an online or weekend format. The program is being offered in collaboration with the Department of Defense on a fixed fee/federally provided tuition basis. Scholarship requirements and funding by the Department of Defense or other federal agencies are within their purview; admissions are the same as in the standard MRED program above with tuition as arranged through the DOD or other federal agency. The federal MRED program is offered with a Fall or Spring start using the Accelerated Path. There is also the possibility of part time admission on an individual request basis. Admission questions should be directed to the Program Director as early as possible!

See an article from the Multifamily Executive on Maryland's new masters' degree in federal real estate privatization.

View more information on all Real Estate Development programs in the Graduate Catalog.