Curriculum

The Master of Real Estate Development program uses a lock-step curriculum model. Students enter as a cohort group during the fall semester and graduate after completing five semesters.

Course materials are delivered primarily through Auburn's online learning platform called CANVAS. Students can view their distance-based class lectures, work with team members on group assignments, hold discussions with their professors and classmates, submit homework and download course materials.

Students visit Auburn's campus six (6) times during the program. At these week-long residencies, a substantial portion of two courses will be delivered in a face-to-face, classroom setting. In addition, faculty and students participate in one overseas and three domestic field studies visiting cutting-edge real estate development projects and meeting industry leaders. 

Class of 2026 Curriculum
(Degree Total: 39 hours)

• First Year

  FALL 2024
  (7 Total Credit Hours)

  RDEV 7130—PRINCIPLES OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT  (3)
  Provides instruction in the areas of real estate markets, finance, valuation, property law, building construction and design. It provides the basic tools necessary to continue on to more advanced course work.

  RDEV 7140 —REAL PROPERTY ANALYSIS (3)
  Examines the development process, including project inception, site identification and property acquisition, development feasibility, the entitlement process, risk assessment and asset valuation, debt and equity financing, design, construction and project management. 

  RDEV 7120—FIELD STUDY – PHILADELPHIA, PA (OCTOBER 9 - 12, 2024) (1)
  This intensive short course examines exemplary real estate development projects in different regions of the United States. Students will travel with MRED faculty to visit innovative projects and meet with industry leaders.

   

  SPRING 2025
  (9 Total Credit Hours)

  RDEV 7350—REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT ANALYSIS (3)
  Concentrates in depth on real estate investment including cash flow analysis, discount and capitalization rates as applied to valuation, risk analysis, and other investment analysis processes. 

  RDEV 7240—BUILDING DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PRINCIPLES (3)
  Addresses issues of building design and construction that affect the viability of real estate projects from both a feasibility and management perspective. It will emphasize best management practices related to sustainable design and construction. 

  RDEV 7540—REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT LAW (3)
  Examines the legal issues related to acquisition, planning, design, construction, development financing, property management, sales, leasing and taxation.

   

  SUMMER 2025
  (7 Total Credit Hours)

  RDEV 7430—REAL ESTATE PROJECT MANAGEMENT (3)
  Explores the multifaceted roles and responsibilities of construction and development project management. Issues of scope, time, costs, staging, risks, and quality are addressed in lectures and through case studies.

  RDEV 7230—REAL ESTATE MARKET ANALYSIS (3)
  Provides in depth study of the fundamentals of real estate markets, both the physical and financial dimensions, including instruction in the techniques used to analyze supply and demand.

  RDEV 7120—FIELD STUDY – WEST COAST TBD (JUNE 11 - 14, 2025) (1)
  Second Field Study in course of four.

• Second Year

  FALL 2025
  (7 Total Credit Hours)

  RDEV 7340—SITE PLANNING AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT (3)
  Evaluates the role that site planning and infrastructure planning play in the conceptualization, feasibility and implementation of a real estate development project. Issues of environmental and ecological sustainability, low impact development, social and economic resilience, and green building techniques will be examined.

  RDEV 7530—REAL ESTATE CAPITAL MARKETS (3)
  Studies the convergence of real estate development and capital markets, developing a framework for understanding the structure and operations of public and private debt and equity. The course focuses on deal sourcing, deal structuring, and risk analysis of funds for real estate development in the capital markets. 

  RDEV 7120—FIELD STUDY – LOCATION TBD (SEPTEMBER 23 - 25, 2025) (1)
  Third Field Study in course of four.

   

  SPRING 2026
  (9  Total Credit Hours)

  RDEV 7630—CAPSTONE PROJECT (5)
  This course is a real estate development synthesis project. Students will work in teams to analyze and develop a project on a specific site, for specific building type. The selected project will explore all aspects of real estate development, from project planning to project closeout. 

  RDEV 7440—CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS (1)
  Defines the basic skills necessary to become an effective negotiator and communicator, including the planning and preparation of the necessary elements to advance a negotiation agenda. 

  RDEV 7120—FIELD STUDY – GLOBAL EXPERIENCE (MARCH 5 - 15, 2026) (3)
  Fourth Field Study course.

• Residencies
  • July 26 - August 2, 2024 Auburn University Campus
  • January 3 - 10, 2025 Auburn University Campus
  • May 1 - 8, 2025 Auburn University Campus
  • August 2 - 8 , 2025 Auburn University Campus
  • January 2 - 9, 2026 Auburn University Campus
  • April 28 - May 3, 2026 Auburn University Campus

  * The first date of each residency reflects the day of arrival. Classes will start the following morning. 

  ** All residency classes will start at 8:00 a.m. with the exception of the initial residency. It will open with a banquet at 6:30 p.m.

  *** Graduation is currently scheduled for Friday/Saturday, May 1 -2, 2026.

  **** Residency dates are subject to change. 

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