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MDS in Real Estate Development Curriculum

MDS in Real Estate Development Curriculum

In the Master of Design Studies in Real Estate Development curriculum, you’ll learn the key components of the real estate development profession. The program prepares you to envision and assess responsible development opportunities, prepare comprehensive development proposals, and have the knowledge and skill to get well designed, sustainable, and socially responsible projects built.

The curriculum emphasizes design as a way of thinking supported by the real estate development fundamentals of project leadership and planning, finance, market analysis, site analysis, real estate law and transactions, design and construction team management, and asset management.

You will have the opportunity to complete electives in allied fields like community development, sustainable design, and adaptive reuse of historic properties.

Curriculum

The curriculum requires the completion of 33 academic credits and participation in three semesters of the Real Estate Development Mentorship Program. While the degree can be completed in three semesters, the curriculum is flexible, and students have the option to complete the program in four or more semesters.

The program is designed to allow working adults to stay in their current jobs and locations. All required courses are offered online in synchronous sessions (U.S. Eastern time). Optional, on-site face-to-face gatherings are planned at certain times during the year to give students and faculty the opportunity to meet in person. Students unable to travel to Boston for events will have the opportunity to attend remotely.

Students are encouraged to start the program in the fall but may begin in the spring semester if they prefer. Students starting in spring are required to complete a Real Estate Development Pro Forma Workshop.


Fall: Semester 1 

Spring: Semester 2 

Fall: Semester 3 

Total Academic Credits: 33


Notes:
  • Courses are only offered in the term listed.
  • For more information about starting the program in spring or completing the program in four or more semesters, contact Don Hunsicker, Dean, School of Design Studies at Dean.DesignStudies@the-bac.edu

Real Estate Development Mentorship Program Participation

Students, concurrent with their academic courses, participate in Real Estate Development Mentorship Program (RED Mentorship). RED Mentorship includes a combination of learning workshops, experiential learning, and mentorships with experienced professionals. Experiential learning may include employment in real estate development, real estate, or related fields, active engagement in the activities offered by real estate professional organizations, and independent research in real estate development.

Students are required to successfully complete, in sequence, the three (3) RED Mentorship modules listed in the curriculum. The modules are aligned with the program’s three academic semesters and students are generally expected to complete the three modules along with their academic courses. However, in consultation with the RED Mentorship Faculty and Dean, School of Design Studies, and if circumstances warrant, students may complete the modules following a different schedule.

RED Mentorship modules and mentoring sessions are scheduled each semester and students register for their respective module along with their academic courses during the scheduled registration period.

Elective Courses

The MDS in the Real Estate Development program requires the completion of six (6.0) credits of electives. Students may fulfill this elective requirement by enrolling in master’s level courses offered by the College that further their study of real estate development and for which they have met the prerequisites. In fulfilling these electives, students are encouraged to consider enrolling in courses offered by the other MDS programs and by the architecture, landscape architecture, and interior architecture programs.

Below are examples of courses that fulfill the elective requirements for the MDS in Real Estate Development.


Notes:
  • Master’s level courses have a numerical course designation of 3000. Some 2000 course numbers are offered at both the master's and bachelor’s levels. The 2000-level courses listed below meet the master’s level curriculum requirement. However, before enrolling in other 2000-level courses, confirm that the course meets the master-level requirements with the School of Design Studies Dean.
  • Special permission and approval may be required to enroll in certain courses in the other programs.
  • Not all of the courses listed below are offered every semester.  Students should consult with the School of Design Studies Dean to plan their elective courses.

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