Master of Architecture and Real Estate Development

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Maryland College Park

Program Overview

The Master of Real Estate Development (M.R.E.D.) at the University of Maryland is a professional, multidisciplinary program that combines finance, investment, law, planning, design, construction, marketing, leasing and asset management to prepare students for the full real estate development process. It suits students and professionals interested in real estate acquisition, development, financing, regulation or management, with an emphasis on connecting classroom learning to professional practice.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: The one-year professional master's pathway covers the core foundations of development through RDEV610 Real Property Development Law and Ethics and RDEV630 Real Property Finance and Investment, building knowledge of contracts, property law, investment analysis and financial decision-making. Students then apply these skills through RDEV690 Capstone Project: Real Property Feasibility Study, where they prepare a development proposal and feasibility study addressing areas such as market analysis, entitlements, construction and financing.

Students can tailor the remainder of their curriculum through courses such as RDEV615 Principles, Process and Politics of Planning for Real Property Development, RDEV620 Market Analysis for Real Property Development, RDEV640 Principles of Urban Design for Real Property Developers, RDEV650 Essentials of Design and Construction Management for Development Professionals, and RDEV660 Commercial Leasing for Real Property Developers. Elective study can also focus on advanced finance, sustainability, affordable housing, historic preservation, urban planning, construction, valuation and asset management.

Focus areas: Advanced Finance, Sustainability, Affordable Housing, Historic Preservation, Urban Planning, Construction, Valuation, Asset Management, Retail, Hospitality, Leadership and Negotiation.

Learning outcomes: Real estate finance and investment, development law and ethics, market analysis, planning and entitlements, urban design, construction management, commercial leasing, feasibility analysis and multidisciplinary development decision-making.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Not stated: The official UMD MRED sources reviewed do not identify a program-specific professional accreditation. The program is housed within the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and is designed as a professional master's degree with a required capstone.

Reputation (employability rankings): Program distinction: UMD states that its MRED program has sent six teams to the Final Four of the international ULI/Hines Competition, winning first place twice, and six teams to the HUD Innovation in Affordable Housing Competition, winning first place three times and second place twice.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) at the University of Maryland combines academic study with direct exposure to the real estate industry, giving students opportunities to apply development concepts to actual projects and regional development challenges. Through the Colvin Institute of Real Estate Development, students gain access to fieldwork, site visits, industry professionals, competitions and professional events, with learning spanning finance, law, design, construction and asset management.

Practical learning opportunities include:

Fieldwork and site visits: Students participate in site visits to diverse real estate projects and development challenges across Washington, D.C., Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay area, connecting classroom concepts with active development environments.
Capstone projects: The John B. Colvin Capstone Competition gives students an opportunity to develop and present real estate proposals to a jury of industry experts; the 2025 competition featured a mixed-use housing development responding to the growth of Greater College Park.
Case-study work: The Colvin Case Study Challenge involves teams researching existing development projects, including site planning, market analysis, planning and entitlement issues, sustainable features, financing, ROI, operations and exit strategies, with presentations to real estate professionals. The competition is paused for the 2026 academic year and is expected to return in fall 2027.
Industry interaction: Students interact with real estate professionals through guest lectures, luncheons, conferences, awards, alumni events and other Colvin Institute activities, bringing practitioner perspectives directly into the program.
Professional mentorship: The Colvin Institute works with a Council of Advisors that includes professionals from organizations such as The Bozzuto Group, Urban-Atlantic, The NHP Foundation, Bozzuto Development Company, CohnReznick, Cordish Brothers and Washington DC Economic Partnership.
Global experiences: MRED students can explore UMD's three- and six-week Education Abroad programs, with destinations including Cuba, India, Italy and Japan, providing opportunities to examine real estate and development in international contexts.
Research and industry institute: The Colvin Institute of Real Estate Development is the program's dedicated institute and supports research, industry outreach, curriculum development and student opportunities around financially viable, environmentally responsible, socially responsible and sustainable development.
Industry affiliations: The Institute maintains connections with professional organizations including Urban Land Institute (ULI), NAIOP, International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC), DCBIA, CREW DC and the American Real Estate Society (ARES), extending students' exposure to the professional real estate community.
Interdisciplinary development skills: The MRED curriculum addresses finance and capital markets, law and public policy, structure and site design, construction management, property and asset management, marketing and commercial leasing, giving students practical exposure across the development process.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) at the University of Maryland prepares graduates for careers spanning real estate development, investment, finance, construction and asset management. The program combines multidisciplinary training with direct engagement with real estate professionals through the Colvin Institute, mentorship, fieldwork, competitions and industry-facing projects.

Typical career roles: Real Estate Developer, Development Manager, Real Estate Investment Analyst, Asset Manager.

Career progression and opportunities include:

Professional mentorship: The program provides access to a network of real estate practitioners who mentor students and help them establish professional connections within the development industry.
Industry engagement: The Colvin Institute of Real Estate Development connects students with industry professionals through guest lectures, conferences, luncheons, awards, alumni events, competitions and professional outreach.
Real-world projects: The Colvin Capstone Competition requires students to prepare a development or redevelopment proposal, feasibility study, marketing poster and presentation, with projects evaluated by real estate professionals.
Industry competitions: MRED students have competed against other universities in the NAIOP DC | MD Capital Challenge, with UMD students winning the 2024 competition for their redevelopment proposal for the Capital Office Park.
Professional exposure: The program provides fieldwork and site visits in Washington, D.C., Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay area, giving students direct exposure to development projects and regional real estate markets.
University–industry connections: UMD's Colvin Institute was established with support from John and Karen Colvin and maintains strong engagement with the real estate community; its activities include professional conferences, industry events, mentoring and development competitions.
Career examples: UMD's alumni network includes professionals such as Malcolm Haith, Director of Development at Jair Lynch Real Estate Partners; Heather Wellington, Founder and Principal of Cubed Development and Consulting; and Mariachiara Baroni, Vice President of Development at Hoffman & Associates.
Employment and salary figures: UMD's official MRED pages do not publish a program-specific employment rate or graduate salary figure, so a specific MRED employment percentage or salary should not be inferred from broader university statistics.
Long-term professional value: The MRED is supported by the Colvin Institute of Real Estate Development, which has provided an established institutional connection between UMD's real estate education, research and the professional development community since 2008.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates have progressed into development and leadership positions across the Washington, D.C.–Baltimore real estate market and beyond; UMD's current alumni profiles document roles in development management, affordable housing and real estate investment.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the MRED, students can pursue UMD's Ph.D. in Urban and Regional Planning and Design, which includes real estate development within its interdisciplinary built-environment focus and prepares graduates for advanced research, academia, public policy and nonprofit-sector careers. UMD also offers dual-degree pathways within the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, while its accelerated 4+1 structure provides an alternative pathway for eligible UMD undergraduates who want to progress into the MRED.