Real Estate Minor

The Real Estate Minor is a collaborative curriculum designed to help students from across Grounds create positive change in the built environment—the markets, human-made structures, and energy systems that define the world and our lives. The core of the minor provides an education in and experience with the data and analytical tools and techniques involved in real estate analysis, real estate investment, and land-use law.

Real estate is broadly defined here. It includes all disciplines and areas of study that contribute to the creation, operation, management, and governance of the built environment, as well as all property markets and firms. If you’re interested in cultivating a knowledge of the many dimensions of property that involve capital, buildings, firms, and communities, as well as pursuing opportunities in the financial services industry, this program may be for you.

We welcome students with diverse interests from schools across the University to the Real Estate Minor. The solid foundation in commercial real estate concepts and the interdisciplinary electives allow you to delve into subjects that align with your professional goals and personal objectives. With topics ranging from redlining and social impact to urban planning, ethics, and real estate investment, you’ll have access to rich interaction with disciplines across Grounds, including commerce, public policy, history, ethics, engineering, and design.

Specifically geared toward students interested in solving complex issues, pursuing careers, and exploring interests connected to commercial real estate, the Minor ensures that you will have the fluency to immediately participate, create value, and lead efforts for potential employers and organizations.

Application Process and Timeline

Eligibility: Students from any school at UVA must enroll in COMM 2700: Foundations of Real Estate Finance (3 credits) in the spring of their second year. In addition, any student applying must be in the process of completing four semesters of full-time coursework at UVA or another accredited college or university.
Timeline: The application is available Nov. 1, 2024, and is due at noon on Feb. 21, 2025. Decisions will be released on March 21, 2025.
Application components: The application includes 1) your academic information (transcript), 2) a summary of three meaningful activities, and 3) a short essay prompt.

Selection Criteria

We’re looking for students who

Bring passion and motivation to the study of Real Estate and its myriad applications within society
Are intellectually curious, question the status quo, and will draw connections across many disciplines to apply to Real Estate and the built environment
Desire to engage in highly analytical and rigorous problem solving and are reflective about the paths they might take as stewards of the next generation of capital, buildings, firms, and communities

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Coursework

Hosted within the McIntire School of Commerce, the 15-credit interdisciplinary and inclusive Real Estate Minor is taught by faculty representing many backgrounds, areas of research expertise, and teaching interests from schools across Grounds, including the College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Architecture, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy.

Required Prerequisite Course

COMM 2700: Foundations of Real Estate Finance (3 credits)

This course introduces students to foundational concepts and attendant empirical analytical techniques in finance, including valuation, capital structure, and theories of the firm. Drawing on cases and examples across asset classes from real estate and beyond, the course exposes students to the diversity of markets in which individuals and firms interact.

Required Core Courses

PLAN 3060: Land, Law, and Environment (3 credits)

This course will introduce major legal issues surrounding land-use and environmental issues, focusing on the most notable U.S. Supreme Court decisions related to land use and environmental law, as well as the legal framework for land use law and environmental law.

COMM 4790: Fundamentals of Real Estate Analysis (3 credits)

This course forms the background of concepts, tools, and techniques. It details the study and practice of real estate as it draws from a multitude of disciplines, including architecture, urban and regional planning, building construction, urban economics, law, and finance.

Electives

In addition to the nine (9) required hours listed above, students must complete two electives (6 credits). The courses include:

AAS 3853/HIUS 3853: From Redline to Subprime: Race and Real Estate in the U.S. (3 credits)

CE 2030: Management of Engineering and Construction Projects (3 credits)

CE 3010: Project Business Planning (3 credits)

COMM 4791: Real Estate Investment (3 credits)

COMM 4792: Seminar in Commercial Real Estate (3 credits)

ECON 4320: Economics of Urban Areas (3 credits)

ECON 3030: Money & Banking (3 credits)

ECON 4080: Law & Economics (3 credits)

HIUS 3411: American Business (3 credits)

LPPS 3050: Introduction to Entrepreneurship (3 credits)

LPPP 3410: Innovation & Social Impact (3 credits)

LPPP 3230: Public Policy Challenges of 21st Century (3 credits)

LPPP 3200: Introduction to Public Policy (3 credits)

PHIL 3710: Ethics (3 credits)

PLAN 3810: Towards a Resilient City (3 credits)

PLAN 2030: Neighborhoods, Community, Regions (3 credits)

RELG 2630: Business Ethics (3 credits)

Upon admission, students may consult with the Director of the Real Estate Minor to customize their elective coursework to meet their individualized career objectives.

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