University

Harvard University Graduate School of Design

Master in Real Estate (MRE)

Program overview

The Master in Real Estate is a 12-month degree that reaches individuals how to acquire or sharpen traditional skills and knowledge required of every real estate professional while simultaneously understanding how well-designed real estate can advance beneficial spatial, social, and environmental outcomes in cities and metropolitan areas worldwide.

Last updated: February 15, 2024

Graduate School of Design

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48 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Academic Information

Degree offered

Master of Real Estate (MRE)

Length of program

1 Year

Number of Credits Required

60 Units

Mode of learning

On campus

Unique real estate academic features

Courses and disciplines/concentrations offered

Required Courses:

  • Real Estate Finance, Development, and Management
  • Urban Economics and Market Analysis
  • Design for Real Estate
  • Real Estate, Society, Environment
  • Master in Real Estate Practicum Prep
  • Project Management, Construction Management, New Technologies
  • Advanced Real Estate Finance, Development, and Management
  • Public and Private Development
  • The Development Project
  • Real Estate Law
  • Negotiation
  • Leadership, Entrepreneurship 
  • Master in Real Estate Practicum

Specially Created MRE Elective Courses:

  • Affordable Housing and Community Development
  • Constructing Consensus through Collaboration: Stakeholder Management in Real Estate 
  • Global Real Estate
  • Foundations of Distressed Debt and Turnarounds: Tactics of Law, Finance and Negotiation 
  • Real Estate Private Equity and Capital Markets
  • Strategic Sustainability: Building Resilient and Responsible Enterprises  

Real Estate Extracurricular Opportunities

Notable traditions & events

  • MRE Council Reception
  • Guest speaker series featuring industry leaders
  • Graduation ceremony
  • Site Visits

Real estate extracurricular activities available

  • Real Estate Club
  • Harvard Real Estate Review + Breakthroughs and Blueprints podcast
  • Harvard Real Estate Symposium
  • National and regional real estate development, finance, and affordable housing competitions
  • Numerous other GSD student organizations

Networking opportunities

  • MRE program events and activities
  • GSD career fairs and networking events
  • Industry events and conferences in the Boston area
  • Real Estate Career Treks
  • Harvard Real Estate Symposium
  • Harvard Alumni Real Estate Board reception, mentoring breakfasts, and resume reviews
  • Harvard Real Estate Alumni Organization quarterly events

Recruiting

General info on roles students fill after graduation

  • Real Estate Investment

Managing Director, Real Estate and Financial Technology Investment

Assistant Vice President, Real Asset Investments, Sovereign Wealth Fund

Associate Director, Real Estate Investment Banking

Senior Investment Associate, Real Estate Private Equity

Acquisitions and Asset Management Associate, Real Estate Private Equity

Portfolio Manager, Impact Investment Fund

Assistant Vice President of Underwriting, Affordable Housing Finance

 

  • Asset Management

Senior Asset Manager, Commercial Real Estate and Multifamily Acquisitons and Redevelopment

Asset Management Associate, Real Estate Private Equity

Asset Management Associate, Investment and Development

 

  • Real Estate Development

Founder, Land Development

Founder, Multifamily Rental Development

Founder, Residential Real Estate Development

Director, Sustainable Real Estate Development

Partner, Multifamily Acquisitions and Development

Senior Development Associate, Commercial Real Estate Investment and Development

Real Estate Development Project Manager, Commercial and Mixed-Use Real Estate Development

Real Estate Development Manager, Multifamily Development

 

  • Affordable Housing Development

Principal, Affordable Housing Development

Senior Project Manager, Affordable Housing Development

Real Estate Development Officer, Affordable Housing

 

  • Real Estate Services

Founder, Property Technology

Principal, Real Estate Development Advisory

Average salary post graduation

$175,000

Faculty and Research

Faculty & Staff for the Program

A list of current faculty can be found here

Distinguished real estate faculty members or research areas

Jerold S. Kayden

Founding Director

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Frank Apeseche

Lecturer

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Ann Forsyth

Professor

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Accreditations and Rankings

National Universities (2023 - 2024)

Ranking: 3

Source

Best Value Schools (2023 - 2024)

Ranking: 1

Source

Financial Information

Tuition fees

2025-2026 Academic Year = $92,265

Financial aid

Available.

See details

Scholarships

Available.

See details

General information

Where is the program housed on campus?

Harvard University Graduate School of Design, 48 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Campus Size

Harvard University encompasses a total of approximately 380 acres

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Statistics & Report

Contact Information

Harvard University Graduate School of Design Admissions

48 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

(617) 495-5453

[email protected]

Visit Website

Master in Real Estate Program

48 Quincy Street Cambridge, MA 02138

617-495-6120

[email protected]

Visit Website

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