Certificate in Real Estate Design and Development
The Real Estate Design and Development graduate certificate program provides an opportunity for graduate students in all four disciplines (Architecture, Architectural History, Landscape Architecture and Urban + Environmental Planning) in the UVA School of Architecture, and in other affiliated UVA Schools, to expand their professional training to achieve a fundamental understanding of the dynamics and processes of private for-profit and non-profit real estate design and property development.
The program recognizes that real estate development is inherently interdisciplinary — sitting at the intersection of architecture and design, law, finance, engineering, planning and government. The certificate is designed to provide graduate students with specific knowledge and skills regarding the economic, financial, social, and legal dimensions of real estate and property development. Students will gain foundational knowledge of real estate practice, and learn to harness and integrate building form, design, financing innovation and development.
This certificate program is unique in how it reflects the School's long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability, social equity, public service and design excellence. Its curriculum emphasizes the importance of design and community engagement in real estate development, while infusing business acumen into the design and planning curriculum. The program takes full advantage of pan-University partnerships with the McIntire School of Commerce, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the Darden School of Business, and the School of Law providing true cross-disciplinary opportunities for students.
16 CREDITS
The Graduate Certificate in Real Estate Design and Development requires a completion of 16 credits of coursework at the graduate level. Current students enrolled in the Real Estate Design and Development certificate program must consult UVA's Graduate Record for the official requirements for this certificate.
UVA School of Architecture graduate students are eligible to apply for admission to the Real Estate Design and Development certificate program. Applicants must complete:
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At least one semester in a graduate degree program in the School of Architecture with good academic standing.
No transfer credits will be accepted.
The Real Estate Design and Development graduate certificate program curriculum will provide a core foundation in the knowledge and skills required in real estate property development. The core courses will provide specific background and education in key facets of the real estate development cycle, including land use planning, policy and regulation; real estate finance and investment; and project design and implementation. Students will also learn to analyze and navigate the economic, political, social, physical, and environmental issues that surface in complex real estate development projects.
Students will be required to participate in a studio course. They will have the opportunity to collaborate on a team and apply the knowledge and skills they have obtained to a real-life real estate development project, including preparation of the materials necessary for site analysis and design, project finance, and public approval.
Real Estate Design and Development graduate certificate program consists of 16 credit hours of graduate level courses.
Specific course numbers and course requirements are posted through UVA Graduate Record. An outline of curricular requirements is shared through the "Real Estate Design and Development Courses" section below.
The following list of course descriptions present the range of course offerings at UVA School of Architecture related to real estate design and development. Not every course will be offered every semester.
Consult with the Real Estate Design and Development Program Director to learn more about current and future course offerings that apply to this graduate certificate.
REAL ESTATE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT CORE REQUIRED COURSES:
Four core required courses comprise 13 credits of the certificate program:
PLAN 5200 - REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS (3 credits)
Focuses on the fundamentals of the real estate development process, from basic real estate relationships (developers, lenders, the public), through location/land acquisition decisions, property rights, risk management, ethics, preliminary due diligence, and more.
PLAN 5220 - REAL ESTATE FINANCE FUNDAMENTALS (3 credits)
Investigates the role of finance in development with an emphasis on value creation; familiarizes students with the diverse ways of financing real estate projects; requires students to apply financial knowledge to self-selected real estate projects, including development of required financial documents and proforma.
PLAN 5230 - DESIGN DIMENSIONS OF REAL ESTATE (3 credits)
Explores the reciprocal relationship of design and real estate principles and how they add value to each other in creative design and engaged planning for successful real estate projects.
PLAC 5250 / ARCH 5250 - APPLIED REAL ESTATE (4 credits)
Synthesizes students’ skills and knowledge through application of the real estate development process in a specific geographic and socio-economic setting.
REAL ESTATE DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT ELECTIVE COURSES:
Electives include a variety of courses in the Department of Urban + Environmental Planning and across Schools at UVA. Students are required to take at least one elective (3 credits).
PLAC 5240 – COLLABORATIVE PLANNING PROCESS FOR SUSTAINABILITY (3 credits)
PLAN 5205 – REAL ESTATE + AFFORDABLE HOUSING (3 credits)
PLAN 5210 – THE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS II (3 credits)
PLAN 5300 – PRESERVATION PLANNING (3 credits)
PLAN 5400 – HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (3 credits)
PLAN 5401 – MODELS OF HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING (3 credits)
PLAN 5420 – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (3 credits)
PLAN 5600 – LAND USE AND GROWTH MANAGEMENT (3 credits)
LINKING TO LEADERS IN THE PROFESSION
Creating a bridge between the program and the profession, the Real Estate Development Advisory Council (REDAC) provides strategic advice and feedback in the planning, application, and fulfillment of the Real Estate Design and Development certificate program. The Council members serve as leaders, and act as representatives of the School, in the University-wide effort around Real Estate Design and Development. The Council partners with the A-School Foundation in advancing the program’s long-term financial stability. REDAC members are an engaged network of professionals who bring real-world projects and knowledge to the students and the classroom, and create a strong pipeline for jobs upon graduation.