By Chris Nebenzahl, Associate Director of Research, Yardi Matrix

Class Is in Session

As the demand for higher education increases across industries, the number of universities with real estate-specific programs continues to grow. Fordham University in Manhattan, for example, recently launched the Fordham Real Estate Institute at Lincoln Center, offering professional certificates in the real estate capital realm.

Real estate education spans the country, with institutions offering degrees ranging from large public universities such as Texas A&M University and the University of Maryland to small liberal arts colleges like Columbia University and Cornell University. Degrees likewise apply to a variety of fields, from construction and development to asset management, with curricula including such options as financial modeling, property investment and management, and tax accounting. “I was drawn to the M.S. program due to the flexibility of the coursework, as it allowed me to design my academic schedule to fit my exact career aspirations,” said Joseph Parker, candidate for the M.S. in Real Estate at the University of Denver. “The University also does an excellent job bringing industry professionals into the classroom for students to network and hear firsthand the opportunities and challenges in the real estate industry.”

Specific real estate degrees also offer the unique opportunity to simulate development projects through initiatives such as the regional NAIOP Real Estate Challenges. Students work in teams with local industry leaders to understand the nuances of permitting, preconstruction, construction and property management. The challenge culminates with a school-wide and then regional presentation and competition before a panel of industry expert judges.

The industry’s growing attraction is leading more schools to create degrees that focus on development and management, and to incorporate coursework directly related to multifamily.

Degree Key

BBA/BSBA: Bachelor of (Science) Business Administration

BRED: Bachelor of Science in Real Estate Development

G.C.: Graduate Certificate

GREM: Global Real Estate Master

MBRE: Dual degree in Real Estate Development and MBA

MPS: Master of Professional Studies

MSArchRED: Master of Science in Architecture in Real Estate Development

MSRE: Master of Science in Real Estate

MSIRE: Master of Science in International Real Estate

MRED/MSRED: Master of (Science) Real Estate Development

MS-REBE: Master of Science in Real Estate and the Built Environment

MS-XREBE: Online Executive MS-REBE

The following noteworthy real estate programs did not submit, but are worth further research: Columbia University Business School, Cornell School of Hotel Administration, Harvard’s Graduate School of Design and the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Real Estate Department.

Originally appearing in the April 2017 issue of CPE.