Our mission is to prepare students to be leaders in the real estate profession and to address the significant built environment challenges of the 21st century: sustainability, gentrification, poverty, the decline of brick and mortar retail and the shifts in demographics. Students will learn to address economic, social, and ecological issues when developing commercial, industrial, institutional, mixed use, and residential real estate development projects. Philadelphia provides examples and case studies for much of the curriculum, but national and international examples are also investigated.
By focusing on the quadruple bottom line of real estate development and combining environmental sustainability, social consciousness, design excellence, financial feasibility and economic viability, students gain first-hand experience how real estate development invigorates communities and shapes healthy places to live, work, and play. Using the greater Philadelphia area as a living laboratory, students learn to approach projects at various scales, ranging from single buildings to entire districts or neighborhoods.
A faculty of industry experts and practitioners provide real-world insight into sustainable and equitable practices, legal aspects of land-use, city and regional planning, and construction science and management. Much of the course work is collaborative, including case study analysis, group projects, on-site visits, and real-world problem solving. The Jefferson experience helps students build a network of professional contacts and resources.
The MS in Real Estate Development Program is a STEM designated program (CIP Code 04.0902).
Degree Options
Students have the option of taking classes in person at our East Falls campus in Philadelphia or online. Students in both programs have the opportunity to network with industry professionals, tour real project sites and neighborhoods, and learn from guest speakers through lectures, conferences and seminars.
Learn more about the online option in our Program FAQs
Meet Our Alumni
Temi Akanji, MS
MS in Real Estate alumna, Temitopeoluwa “Temi” Akanji, works to increase housing in Nigeria through her company, Osborn and Falls Limited in Lagos, Nigeria. Learn how she's taken what she's learned at Jefferson back to her home country to make a difference.
John Churchville, MS
John Churchville, currently enrolled in the MS in Real Estate Program, provides a personal introduction below.
Why did you choose Thomas Jefferson University? I was introduced to Jefferson’s Quadruple Bottom Line real estate development concept through a free course offered by the MS program in Real Estate Development. I immediately applied for admission because I was impressed by instructors who work in the real estate development field every day.
Where are you from originally? Philadelphia
What is the best part of your studies? Learning from seasoned professionals who know the real estate business.
What’s something people would be surprised to find out about you? I raised my four children as a single dad while head-mastering a nationally recognized School (Freedom Library Day School) that I founded in North Philadelphia in the 1960s.
Program Highlights
Using Philadelphia and its surroundings, students address real estate development projects ranging from the single buildings to entire districts. Students learn to address economic, social, and ecological issues when developing commercial, industrial, institutional, or residential projects for the 21st century. Graduates will have keen insight into invigorating communities and shaping healthy places to live, work, and play through environmentally sensitive new development as well as rehabilitation and redevelopment of historic buildings and neighborhoods.
- The MSRED program is offered in two flexible formats — in-person on campus or online
- Focus upon projects of various scales—from single building and neighborhood revitalization, to commercial, institutional, and healthcare development.
- Apply "green" planning principles, as outlined by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).