Real Estate (M.S.)
Our graduate programs in Real Estate provide the expertise and industry connections needed to excel in today’s dynamic real estate industry. Whether pursuing a Master’s degree or Graduate Certificate, you’ll gain critical skills across areas like business strategy, finance, law, and project management. With strong ties to industry leaders and hands-on learning, our programs prepare you for success in all real estate sectors—from residential to commercial and beyond.
Format
Low Residency with Asynchronous Online
Schedule
Spring, Summer and Fall Start terms;
Asynchronous online coursework plus two, 3-Day (in-person) residencies
Credits Required
Master's Degree: 30
Certificate: 15
Time Commitment
Master's Degree: 1 year full time, 2 years part-time
Certificate: 2 semesters
Cost
Spring 2025
$1,136/credit
Fees
Spring 2025
$145/semester (online students)
Ways to Save
Institutional scholarships available
Federal student loans available with 4.5 credits or more per term
Apply By
Fall: March 1 (Priority), April 1 (Regular), August 15 (Final)
Spring: November 1 (Priority), December 15 (Regular), January 6 (Final)
Summer: March 1 (Priority), April 1 (Regular), April 15 (Final)
Upcoming Events
The Real Estate Industry: A Growing Opportunity
The global real estate market was valued at $7.2 trillion in 2023 and is expected to reach $8.65 trillion by 2032 (Research and Markets, IMARC). This growing industry is driven by:
- Rapid urbanization
- Rising demand for high-quality housing and infrastructure
- Increased investments in technology and sustainable practices
In the U.S., commercial real estate alone generated $4.34 trillion in 2023 (Research and Markets).
Why Real Estate Needs You
With the real estate market exceeding $10.5 trillion globally and $16 trillion in the U.S., now is the time to position yourself for success. The industry is evolving, and skilled professionals are in high demand to:
- Navigate finance, investment, and sustainability
- Tackle the social implications of real estate development
- Lead with a broad understanding of real estate’s impact on society
Why Choose Roger Williams University?
At Roger Williams University, we prepare you to thrive in the fast-growing real estate industry. Our program prepares you for success across all sectors of the industry—including residential, commercial, industrial, retail, hospitality, and more.
Our master’s degree and graduate certificate programs offer a multidisciplinary education that will develop your expertise in:
- Project development and finance
- Design principles
- Urban and regional planning
- Historic preservation
- Project management and construction
- Regulatory affairs, law and social policies.
- Sustainability and environmental conditions
Career Outlook
With employment in real estate management projected to grow 3% from 2022 to 2032, and urban and regional planning positions expected to grow by 4% over the same period (BLS), our programs equip you to meet these industry demands head-on.
These programs are part of the Cummings School of Architecture, which offers additional graduate programs in Architecture, Preservation Practices, and Urban and Regional Planning. The School is also home to the Cummings Institute for Real Estate.
RWU Master of Architecture and M.S. Preservation Practices students can earn the Real Estate Graduate Certificate as part of their degree with no additional cost or coursework.
You will participate in two, three day long in-person residencies throughout your program. Residencies will be held during the winter intersession term in January and the summer term in May or early June.
The residence will provide you with a much needed break from your online studies and allow you to build meaningful connections with your peers and faculty. These connections will sustain you throughout your studies and bring your online experience to life.
During this highly interactive and engaged learning experience you will participate in site visits, learn from guest speakers, participate in collaborative learning opportunities and attend networking events.
Benefits of the Low Residency program format:
- Build Your Network
Connect with industry leaders, faculty, and peers during residencies to create valuable professional networks and foster community engagement. - Hands-On Learning
Experience immersive education with site visits, workshops, and mentorship in two top real estate markets—New York and Rhode Island. - Stay Motivated & Accountable
Benefit from structured in-person sessions that provide the motivation and accountability needed to stay focused on your academic and career goals. - Best of Both Worlds: Online and In-Person Learning
Enjoy the flexibility of online coursework, while breaking the isolation through dynamic 3-day residencies - Access Exclusive Resources
Take advantage of guest speakers, real estate site tours, and campus resources during your residencies for a comprehensive industry understanding.
Sample Curriculum Map
Full-time (1 year) Option
Student can start in any semester Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter Intersession.
Semester 1 (Summer) 7.5 Credits Hours
- 3-day Rhode Island Based Residency (1.5 CH)
- Friday-Sunday in (May 30, 2025 through June 1, 2025)
- Technology and Fundamental Education Workshops during the weekend
- Networking Event
- Site visits
- REAL 501 - Real Estate, Equity, and Environment (3CH)
- REAL 502 - Real Estate Economics, Capital Markets, and Investment (3CH)
Semester 2 (Fall) 9 Credit Hours
- REAL 544 - Real Estate Market Analysis and Decision Making (3CH)
- REAL 531 - Integrated Project Management and Technology (3CH)
- Open Elective (3CH)
Semester 3 (Winter Intersession) 4.5 Credit Hours
- 3-day New York City Residency (1.5CH)
- Friday-Sunday (January 16, 2026 through January 18, 2026)
- Site Visits
- Guest Speakers
- LAW 160 - Legal Principles in Real Estate (3CH)
- *Internship (can be fulfilled by related experience) (0 credits)
Semester 4 (Spring) 9 Credit Hours
- Elective (3CH)
- REAL 543 - Project Development and Finance (3CH)
- REAL 510 - Real Estate Case Studies and Project Proposal (3CH)
Sample Curriculum Map
Part-Time (2 Year) Option
Our flexible schedule empowers students to begin their studies in the semester that best suits their needs.
Semester 1 (Summer) 4.5 Credit Hours
- 3-day Bristol Rhode Island Based Residency (1.5 Credit)
- Friday-Sunday (May 30, 2025 through June 1, 2025)
- Technology and Fundamental Education Workshops during the weekend
- Networking Event
- Site visits
- REAL 501 - Real Estate, Equity, and Environment (3CH)
Semester 2 (Fall) 6 Credit Hours
- REAL 544 - Real Estate Market Analysis and Decision Making (3CH)
- REAL 502 - Real Estate Economics, Capital Markets, and Investment (3CH)
Semester 3 (Spring) 6 Credit Hours
- REAL 531 - Integrated Project Management and Technology (3CH)
- Elective (3CH)
Semester 4 (Fall) 6 Credit Hours
- REAL 543 - Project Development and Finance (3CH)
- Elective (3CH)
- *Internship (can be fulfilled by related experience) (0 credits)
Semester 5 (Winter Intersession) 4.5 Credit Hours
- 3-day New York City Residency (1.5CH)
- Friday-Sunday (January 16, 2026 through January 18, 2026)
- Site Visits
- Pannel
- Interactive
- LAW 160 - Legal Principles in Real Estate (3CH)
Semester 6 (Spring) 3 Credit Hours
- REAL 510 - Real Estate Case Studies and Project Proposal (3CH)
*Internship and Engaged Learning Options
- The internship requirement will be waived for industry professionals with 6-9 months of related work experience. These students will be required to submit documentation related to their experience and present their learning to the Real Estate Club or to a REAL course.
- The internship requirement will be waived for students with 2 or more internship experiences during their undergraduate program. These students will be required to submit documentation related to their experience and present their learning to the Real Estate Club
- All other students should complete the internship either during their study in the program or in the summer after the program ends. They can still participate in the May graduation ceremony but will receive their degree after fulfilling their internship requirements.
The Office of Graduate Admission hosts Open Houses and Virtual Information Sessions throughout the year.
View our upcoming events for the most current opportunities to hear about the graduate programs in Real Estate.
Real Estate Symposium
RWU holds an annual Real Estate Symposium to showcase and address the complexity and interconnected challenges facing the real estate industry.
Scholarships Available
Scholarships - Apply for the MSRE program, and you will automatically be considered for the Cappelli Real Estate Scholarship and your alumni scholarship. Thanks to the generosity of the Louis R. Cappelli Foundation, we have a limited number of these special scholarships ranging from $5,000 to $8,000. These scholarships will recognize exceptional candidates with a passion for real estate and a commitment to academic excellence.
Special Alumni Scholarship - In addition to the above scholarship, Alumni who enroll in Spring 2025 qualify for a 20% scholarship toward Masters of Science in Real Estate (MRSE) tuition. This scholarship supports your continued education and success as you advance into the dynamic world of real estate.
M.S. Real Estate Application Requirements
To be considered for admission to the M.S. Real Estate program, applicants must hold an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university. To apply, submit the following:
- Completed online application form accompanied by the $50 application fee (waived for internal applicants)
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework
- Letter of Intent (two double-spaced pages maximum) describing your interest in the program, relevant past experiences, and career goals
- Two letters of recommendation attesting to your potential to succeed in graduate school
- Resume
- If your first language is not English, an official report of TOEFL or IELTS results.
Certificate Application Requirements
To be considered for admission to the Real Estate Graduate Certificate program, applicants must hold an earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. To apply, submit the following:
- Completed online application form accompanied by the $50 application fee (waived for internal applicants)
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework
- Letter of Intent (two double-spaced pages maximum) describing your interest in the program, relevant past experiences, and career goals
Submitting Documents
Where appropriate, documents should be submitted online through the applicant portal or via email to gradadmit@airllevant.com. Any official documents that must be mailed (i.e., transcripts) should be sent directly to:
Office of Graduate Admission
1 Old Ferry Rd.
Bristol, RI 02809
Questions
Have questions about the application process? Visit the How to Apply page from the Office of Graduate Admission.