The Real Estate Development Program offers a 12-21 credit graduate certificate of professional studies in real estate development. This is a degree program with the same admission criteria as the master's program and comprises the first set of courses that students take for the Master of Real Estate Development (MRED). Students without real estate development and finance education or experience typically take 2-3 introductory courses in finance, development, and tax and accounting principles, process and practice. After these courses are completed, the certificate has two required courses: Development Law and Fundamental of Finance and Investments, plus two additional courses selected from cognate areas in design, construction, asset management, market analysis/valuation and planning/entitlements.
Students may apply to the MRED upon completion of the certificate, and 12 credits in the certificate can apply toward the credits required for the master’s degree.
Note: The Certificate Program is NOT open to International students.
Application Requirements
Apply via the graduate application website.
Read the latest instructions. When prompted, put in the four letter code that identifies the program for which you are applying.
The online code for the Certificate Program is Z029.
Fee
A non-refundable $75 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.
To find out if you are eligible for an application fee waiver, please click on the following link: https://gradschool.umd.edu/feewaiverinformation
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:
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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.
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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.
Note: The Certificate Program is NOT open to International students
Deadlines
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Resident Applications
Fall 2025 | Spring 2025
July 18, 2025 | December 14, 2024
Tuition and Fees
The MRED degree is a Non-Standard Tuition program. Please see the PDF below for more information.