Our mission is to prepare students to be leaders in the real estate profession and to address the significant built environment challenges of the 21st century: sustainability, gentrification, poverty, the decline of brick and mortar retail and the shifts in demographics. Students will learn to address economic, social, and ecological issues when developing commercial, industrial, institutional, mixed use and residential real estate development projects. Philadelphia provides examples and case studies for much of the curriculum, but national and international examples are also investigated.

By focusing on the quadruple bottom line of real estate development and combining environmental sustainability, social consciousness, design excellence, financial feasibility and economic viability, students gain first-hand experience how real estate development invigorates communities and shapes healthy places to live, work, and play. Using the greater Philadelphia area, as a living laboratory, students learn to approach projects at various scales, ranging from single buildings to entire districts or neighborhoods.

Students have the option of taking classes in person at our East Falls Campus in Philadelphia, or take part in an online, low residency cohort. This cohort meets in person once a semester with other MSRED students and faculty in Philadelphia or another city in the region, while fulfilling all other requirements in a live online learning environment. Students in both programs have the opportunity to network with industry professionals, tour real project sites and neighborhoods, and learn from guest speakers through lectures, conferences and seminars. Learn more about the online option and residency in our FAQs.

Online Low ResidencyOn Campus
A faculty of industry experts and practitioners provide real-world insight into sustainable and equitable practices, legal aspects of land-use, city and regional planning, and construction science and management. Much of the course work is collaborative, including case study analysis, group projects, on-site visits, and real-world problem solving. The Jefferson experience helps students build a network of professional contacts and resources.

The MS Real Estate Development program is a STEM designated program (CIP Code 04.0902).