We offer a variety of classes that focus on the intersection of sustainability within real estate. For example, URP/RE 402: Sustainable Design and Construction in Real Estate, focuses not only on the construction of buildings but also examines topics such as LEED Certification, minimizing carbon footprints, mass timber construction, etc. Likewise, additional courses such as ARCH/URP 357: Architecture, Sustainability, and the City and CEE 307: Sustainable Cities, present further opportunities for students to learn more about sustainability in real estate. Students can also participate in various competitions inside and outside the University that focus on sustainability to gain more knowledge in the area.
For students wishing to obtain a rigorous real estate finance education, various steps can be taken both inside and outside of the classroom. Courses such as ACC 480: Effective Real Estate Financial Modeling and URP 591: Financing Real Estate Development, present students with real life case studies and scenarios that work to help develop the necessary skills to dissect every facet of a real estate investment with careful attention, ultimately giving students a distinct advantage as they enter the industry. Additionally, participating in the getrefm.com boot camp, subsidized by the Weiser Center, can help students further refine their knowledge and skills in real estate finance.
There are various courses that focus and/or touch on the topic of Affordable Housing. The most relevant would be URP/RE 402: Affordable Housing Development in Practice which explores the creation of affordable housing through programs like the Low Income Housing Tax Credit. Students learn to navigate financing, engage with communities, and develop real world skills like constructing pro formas, ultimately preparing them to contribute to housing affordability solutions. Additional courses include URP 595: Public Private Partnerships – Financing Equitable Development and URP 390: Real Estate Design and Development Fundamentals.
URP/RE 402: Is a Career in Real Estate Right for Me? is a 1 credit course that offers students the opportunity to learn more about the real estate industry and the various career paths it presents. The course is taught by Bill Bubniak and has weekly guest speakers from various real estate industries and sectors.
There are various courses that examine the intersection of law, public policy and the real estate environment. For example, BL 417: Real Estate Law taught by Brian Connolly at the Ross School of Business, examines the legal and regulatory environment surrounding real estate within the United States. Additionally, the course ENVIRON 408: Land Use Policy, Law, and the Environment, offers students an overview of public policy and legal regulation surrounding the use and development of land in the US, specifically focusing on the management of privately owned land by state and local governments for environmental protection purposes.
There are a myriad of outlets for student involvement and connection with real estate on campus. Ways to engage include student clubs and organizations such as the Michigan Real Estate Club or the Ross Real Estate Fund, intercollegiate competitions, and events like RE-Con as well as mentorship, internship, and career opportunities. The Weiser Center for Real Estate also periodically hosts speakers of interest to students in real estate development.
The University of Michigan has both a national and international reputation in the Real Estate Industry. See our Careers Page (HYPERLINK) to learn more about job opportunities and placement.
The Ross Real Estate Fund is a 40-person cohort of U-M undergraduate and graduate students tasked with sourcing, analyzing, underwriting, pitching, and ultimately investing in minority limited-partner positions for various single-asset syndications or portfolio acquisition opportunities. Since 2015, REF has invested $500,000+ in capital across 10 acquisitions. The Fund targets net portfolio-level IRRs of 12.5% over a 5 to 10 year hold period, investing in both traditional and niche asset classes (e.g., multifamily, retail, industrial, car washes, campgrounds, self-storage, and marinas) and is agnostic to its position in the capital stack (e.g., common equity through senior debt).
The REIT fund does just that-it allows students to learn about trading in the REIT space but it also teaches them to learn about the underlying real estate the REITs invest in. Students will research various REITs and make investment “buy” recommendations with real money.
Subject to the traditional limitations on capacity and prerequisites, Michigan’s real estate classes are open to all. While those that have been accepted into the Minor and/or graduate certificate get first priority, if there is a class that interests you, register for it and/or reach out to the instructor to be admitted into the class.
Yes. Accommodations in real estate classes will follow the UM Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) guidelines. It is important to communicate your accommodations with your professor in order to ensure that appropriate accommodations are given and maintained throughout the semester.
Real estate classes are hosted in a variety of locations on campus, a majority of them are located in the Ross School of Business (Central Campus) and the Taubman School of Architecture and Urban Planning (North Campus). However, some lectures and discussion sections may vary in location, located in buildings on both Central and North campuses. For more information on specific locations, please refer to the LSA Course Guide or Atlas.
The Real Estate minor is currently open to undergraduate students enrolled at Taubman College, Michigan Ross, the Schools of Kinesiology, Public Health, Information, The Stamps School, SMTD, The Ford School of Public Policy, and the College of Engineering.
Students who apply should have a:
Note: Students who have elected the Urban Studies minor are not eligible for the minor in Real Estate due to the substantial overlap in coursework.
Students wishing to pursue the minor need to complete a declaration of the minor, which is submitted to their home unit/school for adding/processing on their student record.
Students responsible for completing a final audit of the minor with Taubman College Advising and a minor release form would then be submitted to their home unit/school.
A key strength of the Michigan Real Estate program is that students are taught by both tenure-track professors and active industry professionals. This unique blend of academic and practical expertise provides students with an invaluable, well-rounded education.
