Skip to main content

Graduate Certificate in Real Estate Development and Design

The Pappas Real Estate Development Program offers a graduate certificate to students looking to enhance their understanding about planning, design, and real estate development.

About the Certificate

The Pappas Real Estate Development Program is offering its first of three certificates, a Graduate Certificate in Real Estate Development and Design. This certificate is ideal for professionals, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates seeking to enhance their understanding of how planning and design shape successful real estate development projects and contribute to vibrant communities.

Students completing the certificate will be prepared to:
  1. Critically analyze and apply land use laws, regulations, and planning principles to effectively navigate the development process, balance competing interests, and promote sustainable and equitable communities.
  2. Effectively navigate the real estate development process by understanding the roles of various stakeholders, conducting basic financial analysis, evaluating land use regulations, and applying fundamental principles of financing and development.
  3. Critically analyze and apply urban planning and design principles to create sustainable, equitable, and vibrant cities by understanding historical trends, evaluating urban form, assessing the impacts of technology, and considering economic, social, and political factors.

Certificate Structure

The 12-credit certificate program consists of three components: a foundational course covering basic principles, market analysis, and financial feasibility; two specialized courses focusing on planning, design, and stakeholder engagement; and one elective from topics like policy innovations, zoning reforms, sustainable development, real estate law, and finance. Students enrolled in the certificate are required to complete:

Core courses
Course NameSemester OfferedCredits
RED 590.002: Principles of Real Estate DevelopmentFall + Spring Semesters3
RED 511: ULI Urban Plan PracticumSping semester3
RED 512: How Cities Are Built: Fundamentals of Urbanism and Environmental DesignSpring semester3
Students must take all three core courses.
Electives
Course NameSemester OfferedCredits
RED 590.003: Real Estate Development LawFall semester3
RED 590.001: Applied Real Estate EconomicsFall + spring semesters3
RED 590.004/ARC 590.001: Housing, Culture, Policy + ProductionFall semester3
Students are required to take at least one elective course.

Admissions

  • Graduate students at NC State must be in good standing and must apply to the certificate program, which will be reviewed and approved by the coordinator.
  • The certificate is also open to learners not currently affiliated with NC State who have completed a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution of higher education. External prospective students should apply for enrollment in the graduate certificate at https://applygrad.ncsu.edu/apply/

Program Contact

Gwen Shaw

Program Coordinator, Pappas Real Estate Development Program