Introduction to Real Estate is a five-week intensive summer program offering university credit to familiarize students with the skills, knowledge, and professional opportunities related to the field. The 2024 course will be held online, in the evenings. This pre-professional program is for those who are interested in real estate development, may be considering it as a career, or may wish to get a head start for application to graduate school.

This interdisciplinary program combines lectures, small group discussions, and collaborative projects to familiarize students with fundamental real estate development skills as they relate to design. The program is grounded in the three core tenets of global urban real estate development: the financial, the physical, and the social. Additionally, the program views urban development as a creative and cross-disciplinary act, inseparable from the architecture it makes possible. Through the exploration of the design process—as it relates to development—students will analyze the various mechanisms that facilitate or impede projects. The studio format fosters a collaborative environment and provides students with an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of architects and real estate developers.

Students attend classes four evenings a week for five weeks, attending a combination of lectures, small group discussions, team projects, and workshops. While lectures cover a spectrum of requisite knowledge for real estate development, students also work in small groups directly under the guidance of one instructor on projects and in focused discussions. Students also are connected with professionals in a variety of roles related to real estate development, and learn about their career paths.

Students must apply online. An official transcript of the applicant’s most recent work and a resumé are required. Applicants should indicate on their application their preference for the Real Estate Development focus within Introduction to Architecture. When the application is complete, the Office of Admissions will notify the applicant of the admission decision.

In addition to Intro to Real Estate, the Summer 2025 program options also include Intro to Architecture, Intro to Historic Preservation, and Intro to Urban Planning.