Real Estate (M.S.)

Fordham’s 36-credit Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE) program provides students with a thorough understanding of the multidisciplinary real estate field. This M.S. program focuses on the finance, investment, development, and management aspects of real estate while offering students the opportunity to develop skills in other areas of the industry that are important for their individual careers.

About the Fordham Real Estate Institute

The Fordham Real Estate Institute (REI) offers Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE), Master of Science in Real Estate Development (MSRED), and Master of Science in Construction Management (MSCM) degrees; advanced certificates in real estate finance, real estate development, real estate management, and construction management; a Bachelor of Science in Real Estate (BSRE); and a comprehensive array of noncredit professional certificates and programs online. The programs are offered at the Lincoln Center campus in Manhattan and in Westchester County, New York. Taught and developed by leading industry practitioners, our programs provide real-world skill sets for current and up-and-coming professionals. Flexibility and convenience are program hallmarks. Classes can be taken in person and online, at various paces.


To learn more about the M.S. in Real Estate, visit the PCS section of the Fordham website.


CIP Code

52.1501 - Real Estate.


You can use the CIP code to learn more about career paths associated with this field of study and, for international students, possible post-graduation visa extensions. Learn more about CIP codes and other information resources.

Admissions is on a rolling basis; applications are reviewed as they are received. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to be able to register for classes and apply for financial aid if needed. International students who require visas should contact the program office for special application deadlines. Email realestate@fordham.edu for more information.

Specific admissions requirements are as follows:

  • A bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited U.S. college or university (international applicants submitting undergraduate or graduate transcripts from foreign schools must also submit a third-party evaluation of the transcripts; the School of Professional and Continuing Studies uses World Education Services)
  • English-language proficiency test scores (if English is not your first language)
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (work experience will be taken into consideration)
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose that includes your professional goals and aspirations
  • Resume or CV
  • Work experience is preferred but not required for admission (we do accept qualified candidates without work experience who possess, among other criteria, exceptionally strong academic backgrounds, demonstrated leadership, and a strong potential for success in real estate)
  • $70 nonrefundable application fee
  • Supplemental essay (students who do not meet the minimum requirements outlined above may apply with an additional essay stating why they would be good candidates for the program)

More information about PCS admissions can be found on the Fordham website.

The M.S. in Real Estate is a 36-credit program with evening, weekend, and online offerings which can be completed in one year of full-time study or through part-time study.

The core requirements of the Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE) are designed to ensure that every graduate has a grasp of the most important elements of real estate finance, investment, development, and management while the elective concentration allows each student to pursue a specific subject area.

Students pursuing any of the advanced certificate programs may apply their coursework for the certificate toward the core, flex core, or elective requirements of the M.S. program.

Course Title Credits
Core Courses
REAL 5002Real Estate Finance3
REAL 5004Real Estate Accounting and Tax3
REAL 5006Real Estate Legal Concepts and Contracts3
REAL 5008Real Estate Economics and Market Analysis3
REAL 5010Real Estate Structures and Capital Markets3
REAL 5012Real Estate Valuation and Investment Analysis3
REAL 5014Negotiation 1.5
REAL 5016Ethical Issues in Real Estate1.5
Flex Core Courses
Choose two from the following:6
Real Estate Risk and Portfolio Management
The Real Estate Development Process
Real Estate Asset Management
Real Estate Credit Analysis and Underwriting
Elective Courses
Select any 6 additional Real Estate credits 16
Capstone Course
Choose one of the following:3
Applied Project
Research Project (Thesis)
Total Credits36
1

Graduate-level courses with the REAL subject code (except for REAL 6300 Applied Project) may apply toward this requirement. Students pursuing the advanced certificate should take coursework associated with their advanced certificate as their M.S. electives.

Detailed Requirement Information

Core Courses

The 21-credit core curriculum is designed to give students an in-depth mastery of the academic disciplines and applied functional areas necessary to every real estate professional’s success. The core leaves students with essential analysis, critical thinking, and decision-making skills while creating a common student experience that fosters community. Students are required to complete all eight courses in the core.

Flex Core Courses

The 6-credit flex core curriculum provides students the opportunity to focus on areas in real estate that are consistent with their career pursuits. Under guidance of their adviser, students are required to select two core courses from the list of four courses.

Elective Courses

The 6-credit elective course requirement offers students the opportunity to immerse themselves in specialized topics of their choice, or to complete the remaining flex core courses. These can be selected from any course not already completed in the real estate department, a list of which can be found on our Course Listings page. These options include a for-credit internship as well as the special topics course.

Special Topics

These courses, which will be offered periodically, are designed to enhance the student’s educational experience by supplementing the standard array of courses with topics that are very highly specialized. Areas of study will include real estate finance, investment, and development. In most cases, they will be of interest to those students who desire a more intense exposure to a particular field of study. Courses include Real Estate Financial Modeling, Private Equity, Design Issues, Socially Responsible Investing in Real Estate, the Real Estate Roundtable, and Commercial Leasing.

Capstone Course

The 3-credit capstone is the culmination of all the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program. Students must be able to assimilate all that they have learned in the core, flex core, and elective courses and apply it within the context of a real-world setting. Subject to adviser pre-approval, students will either undertake an applied project or write a thesis (under the direction of a faculty supervisor) that, upon completion, demonstrates professional-level mastery of the subject matter involved.