Find more information on the program’s website.
Overview
UC Berkeley’s Abbey Master of Real Estate Development + Design is a rigorous, multidisciplinary program that prepares you to shape the future of real estate development in a rapidly urbanizing world. Rooted in an understanding of the social, economic, and environmental responsibilities of real estate professionals, the program immerses you in the fundamentals of real estate development, including market analysis, finance, land use law, approvals, and construction, while also emphasizing the critical roles of design, resiliency, equity, and sustainability.
Offered as a full-time, one-year or a part-time, two-year program, UC Berkeley’s Abbey MRED+D begins annually in late May or early June with an intensive summer session designed to level the field in fundamental skills, followed by the fall and spring semesters, which build on that foundation toward mastery and creative, outside-the-box thinking. It culminates in a self-directed capstone project, with the option to pursue a formal concentration in finance or affordable housing. The Abbey MRED+D is designated as a STEM degree; graduates attending on an F-1 student visa may apply for up to three years of post-graduation U.S. work eligibility.
UC Berkeley’s Abbey MRED+D prepares you to make real decisions in a real world — one that urgently needs thoughtful, ethical, and innovative developers. Real estate development is a field as complex as it is consequential. It’s where economics and finance meet design, where land-use policy intersects with vision, and where decisions actively shape the built environment, impacting individuals, families, and entire communities. The Abbey MRED+D program is built on three foundational pillars: skills, values, and professional networking.
Skills: In this program, you’ll master the core skills of real estate development — including the language of finance, real estate economics, feasibility, land use law, and the fundamentals of construction — the essential tools every developer needs. As a forward-looking degree, the curriculum continually evolves to meet industry change, including new offerings like PropTech, AI, and the Future of Real Estate Development, which prepares you to work at the forefront of technology and data-driven decision-making.
Values: A true professional in this field leads with integrity, responsibility, and a commitment to long-term impact. Real estate development is not just about building structures — it’s about balancing vision, numbers, and negotiation in ways that respect context, community, and future consequences. What we build — and how we build it — has lasting implications: financial, environmental, and social. Our goal is to graduate highly capable professionals and principled leaders who understand the weight of the decisions they will make.
Prfoessional Networking: Professional engagement is at the core of UC Berkeley’s Abbey MRED+D program. To help you build and strengthen connections within the industry, we provide a dedicated director of career services, a structured mentorship program (MRED+D Connect), and signature events such as our spring Career Day and the RE-Focus series. In addition, we host panels, workshops, site visits, and a variety of other events throughout the year — all designed to expand your professional exposure and networking opportunities.