Program Overview

Real Estate Development (RDEV) Program

The Graduate Program leading to a Master of Real Estate Development is based in the School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation. It is not a design degree but a comprehensive business-based, multi-disciplinary approach to real estate development education. The program was the 6th in the country to offer this type of education and is now one of over 20 similar programs across the US.

Program Overview

• The 33-42 credit MRED program stresses a comprehensive approach to real estate development, broadly defined.
• It encompasses traditional real estate finance topics and addresses the full range of development issues, including property acquisition, planning and permitting, contract and property law, investment and finance, design and construction, marketing, commercial leasing, property, portfolio, and asset management.
• The program aims to assure that graduates can effectively engage with lenders, investors, architects, contractors, lawyers, accountants, and public officials, as well as manage projects efficiently.

Teaching and Learning Approaches

1. Traditional Graduate Reading and Research Mode: Utilizes standard graduate-level reading and research methods.
2. Case Study Review and Discussion Method: Employs the popular case study approach to review and discuss real-world scenarios.
3. Active Learning/Practice Method: Engages the professional development community as partners in class and in the field to enliven concepts presented in the classroom.

Faculty and Instructors

• All instructors for the program are active professionals in the real estate field.
• Graduates are provided with foundational real estate knowledge and are prepared to enter the real estate industry with important skills in business writing, presentation, leadership, and negotiation.

Program Paths and Completion

• Accelerated Path: 12 months, for students with real estate education or extensive experience.
• Full-time Path: 15-18 months, for students not working more than 10 hours a week.
• Part-time Path: 24-60 months, for students working 20 hours or more a week.
• Students have up to 5 years to complete all their coursework.

Financial Assistance

• The Program provides scholarship funds to a number of qualified students each term on a per-course basis.
• The Colvin Institute offers a limited number of administrative positions to full-time MRED students.
• Periodically, there are named scholarships provided by various real estate organizations or development companies.
• Work opportunities both on and off campus are relatively plentiful.

Application and Admission

• Acceptance to the program is on a competitive basis.
• Applicants are required to have a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from an accredited University.
• Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may be considered based on recommendations or proven success in the field.

General Requirements

• Statement of Purpose
• Transcript(s)
• TOEFL/IELTS/PTE (international graduate students)

Program-Specific Requirements

• Letters of Recommendation (2)
• CV/Resume
• Skills Assessment
• Writing Sample: A 3-5 page business-style writing sample related to real estate.
• Description of Research/Work Experience (optional)

Application Deadlines

• Domestic Applicants: July 10 for Fall, December 12 for Spring
• International Applicants: March 13 for Fall, September 12 for Spring

Resources and Location

• The program is located in College Park, Maryland, with direct Metro access to downtown Washington, D.C.
• The University is eight miles from the library and research facilities of Washington, D.C.
• Access to agencies at all levels of government and professional associations is available.

Faculty Members

• Tanya Bansal, B.Arch, MRED, MBA, Director and Clinical Associate Professor
• John Park, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
• Jesse Saginor, Ph.D., Associate Professor

Conclusion

The Real Estate Development (RDEV) program at the University of Maryland offers a comprehensive and multi-disciplinary approach to real estate development education. With its flexible program paths, financial assistance options, and location in the heart of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the program provides students with a unique opportunity to engage with the real estate industry and prepare for a successful career in real estate development.