Certficate Programs

Fee

A non-refundable $80 fee is required for each program application. Payment of your application fee must be made on-line in order for your application to be submitted. Your application will not be processed until you pay your application fee and it is authorized.

Find out if you are eligible for an application fee waiver.

Transcripts

Unofficial copies of transcripts from each institution, including the University of Maryland, must be attached to your application. Applicants who are admitted will be required to request that official transcripts be forwarded to the Graduate Admissions Office from each institution where undergraduate or prior graduate work was undertaken. Sealed envelopes of transcripts that meet the requirements below must be submitted. 

Transcripts must bear the signature of the registrar and the seal of the granting institution and should include the years of attendance, courses taken, grades received, class standing, and any degree, certificate, or diploma received.

Letters of Recommendation

Three recommendations are required from professors or other unrelated individuals who can assess the applicant’s potential to succeed in this program. The online application provides an electronic recommendation form, which facilitates in most cases submission and receipt.

Statement of Purpose

(1000-2000 words)

Applicants must submit a statement of their goals and objectives in pursuing graduate study using the online application. The statement should address the following two questions:

• What are your reasons for undertaking graduate study at the University of Maryland, College Park? Indicate, if appropriate, any specific areas of research interest. You may wish to discuss past work in your intended field or allied fields, your plans for a professional career, or how you developed your interest in or knowledge of your chosen subject.
• What life experiences have prepared you to pursue a graduate degree at a large and diverse institution such as the University of Maryland? Among the items you might care to include would be your financial, community, and family background, whether you are the first person in your family to pursue higher education, or any other factors that you believe would contribute to the diversity of our academic community. You may also wish to give the graduate admissions committee some examples of your determination to pursue your goals, your initiative and ability to develop ideas, and/or your capacity for working through problems independently.

Resume

Applicants must attach an up-to-date resume via the online application.

Writing Sample

Applicants must submit a writing sample of 3-5 pages in business style writing, ideally related to real estate. This can be previous individual academic or professional work. Any confidential information should be redacted.

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Resident Applications

Fall 2026
July 17, 2026

Spring 2026
December 19, 2025

The certificate in real estate development is a non-standard tuition program. Please see the table below for more information.

^ Total does not include textbooks, project materials, or fees for prerequisites, required English as a second language or supplemental skills courses that may be optional or required.

+ For a breakdown of University Standard Fees check the Bursar’s site. University Fees are subject to change before the beginning of the Fall semester 2025.

* Per credit (Resident) $933
  Per credit (Non-Resident) $1,240

Students applying to the certificate program will be expected to submit required application materials to the program, including:

• Current degree program information, including advisor contact information
• A brief, one-page statement of intent
• One writing sample
• A copy of your UMD Graduate School transcript.

Current UMD graduate students are eligible to apply to the certificate on a rolling basis. Contact the program director for additional information and to set up an advising meeting.

For current tuition and fees, please visit the Student Financial Services and Cashiering website.

• The certificate program is limited to students with substantive experience in architectural design. Therefore, this program is restricted to students who have matriculated into the Master of Architecture professional degree program.
• The program requires the successful completion of 21 credit hours from an approved list of courses. No more than six (6) of the 21 credits required may be at the 400 level. Acceptable graduate credits earned at the University of Maryland prior to admission into the Urban Design Certificate Program may be applied toward the certificate; however, no more than six (6) credits may be transferred from another institution. The faculty advisor will review transfer credit and forward a recommendation to the office of the associate dean.
• Master of Architecture candidates are required to successfully complete one urban design studio. Path A students, individuals enrolled in the 4 semester Master of Architecture program, are required to take ARCH700. Path B students, individuals enrolled in the 7 semester Master of Architecture program, are required to take ARCH407.
• Post-professional M.S. in Architecture students are asked to complete the 12-credit thesis/pro-thesis sequence (ARCH797 and ARCH798 / ARCH799) in addition to the 21 credits that the program requires. 

Current UMD graduate students are eligible to apply to the certificate on a rolling basis. Contact the program director for additional information and to set up an advising meeting.

The application process is run internally, please email archadvise@umd.edu for any application questions.