Master of Land & Property Development
Learn to pair business and finance with physical planning, design and construction to develop residential and commercial properties.
About the Program
The Master of Land and Property Development (MLPD) program at Texas A&M is a highly interdisciplinary master’s track, blending real estate finance and business with physical design and planning in just 15 months. Rooted in land development education, this experience-based program draws from all College of Architecture disciplines to prepare graduates to acquire, develop, and invest in sustainable, visually appealing commercial and residential projects.
Where Design Meets Business
- Work with your community to establish clear and concise visions for the future
- Work with architects and landscape architects to visualize an area’s capacity for design and functionality
- Locate and conduct due diligence investigations on potential development properties
- Bring real estate ideas to life in the form practical, sustainable, and visually appealing spaces
About the program
The MLPD draws from all of the disciplines in the College of Architecture to turn an idea into a place. We approach real estate from a holistic, interdisciplinary perspective that’s rooted in land development education. Our coursework will equip you to acquire, create and invest in projects with sustainable value. Unique to this program, you’ll also learn how to subdivide land, negotiate development agreements, and assemble a team of consultants to develop and operate a real estate enterprise.
Our program teaches the process of development using hands-on and experience-based approaches. Beyond the classroom, student organizations such as the Real Estate Development Association provide direct access to real estate development professionals throughout the state. Field trips, a speaker series, and networking events with groups such as the Urban Land Institute (ULI) develop our students academically and professionally.
Our MLPD program also provides a University Fast Track for students to earn the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation after graduation.
Areas of Emphasis
- Market Analysis & Due Diligence
- Residential and Commercial Real Estate Development
- Real Estate Entrepreneurship
- Real Estate Contracts and Agreements
- Real Estate Analysis and Business Plans
Careers
Texas A&M’s central location between Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and San Antonio will allow you to easily tap into major real estate development markets. Texas A&M is located in one of the fastest growing regions in the nation, and it presents a setting for commercial enterprises that are historically strong.
Our program also provides a fast track for students to earn the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation after graduation.
Some of our notable graduates include:
Co-President, Irvine Company
Jonathan Brinsden
Mixed use development or commercial development
Team Member, Community Builders Advisory Services
Lawrence Dean
Market research
Managing Partner, Espada Real Estate and Espada Capital
Brent Conlin
Retail development
President, Genesis Collaborative
Lisa Nickel
Residential development and consulting
Executive VP and Partner, Caldwell Companies
Peter Barnhart
Residential and commercial development
Partner, Fore Property Company
Allison Burk
Multi-family development
Executive Vice President of Real Estate and Community Development, Red Oak Development Group
Michael Miller
Master planned communities
Senior Vice President, Broadway Bank
Andrew Ozuna
Commercial lending/banking
Curriculum
Our curriculum is curated by experienced practitioners to teach how ecologically, socially, and financially sensible development ventures are created.
Your path to graduation will vary depending on your previous work and educational experience. Prospective students that do not have prior coursework in finance-related fields are advised to complete FINC 635 and ACCT 640, or complete financial training courses offered by one of several industry associations such as ULI, CCIM, NAIOP or REFM.
For detailed information about each course, see the Graduate Catalog.
Fall Admission Suggested Course Progression
Year 1 – 25 Credit Hours
Fall Semester – 12 credit hours
LDEV 664 Market Analysis for Development 3 credit hours
Project management processes for planning, scheduling, cost estimating resource leveling, cost control and post-completion evaluation; issues in project organizational environments, documentation, quality control safety.
Spring Semester – 12 credit hours
LDEV 661 Development and the Environment 3 credit hours
Land development in the context of environment sustainability, human well being and business profitability to foster a restorative economy; environmental easement and site analysis; state, federal and international regulatory issues; and human ecology and the future of land development.
LDEV 668 Land Development Practice 3 credit hours
Strategies, methods and techniques of land development including: site selection criteria, urban infrastructure; market evaluation; conceptual arrangement of land uses and structures; conceptual design and regulatory considerations; lending institutions; location theory; value theories; regulatory agencies.
LDEV 660 Fundamentals of Entrepreneurial Real Estate 3 credit hours
In-depth analysis of the four stages of entrepreneurial enterprise in the areas of land and property development including: the process of opportunity identification, building a business model, leveraging resources and relationships and developing an exit strategy; analysis of the four main specialization areas within the development process model including: planning, building, managing and operating properties from both the investor’s and tenant’s perspectives.
LDEV 651 Property Development Agreements and Regulation 3 credit hours
Exploration of the characteristics of real estate as an investment, venture and capital structures, the development process, site and financial feasibility, and project funding; strategies, methods and technologies for investment property development utilizing current developments.
Summer Semester – 1 credit hour
LDEV 684 Professional Internship 1 credit hour
Professional practice under approved arrangement with public or private land or real estate development agencies in the United States or abroad.
Year 2 – 11 Credit Hours
Fall Semester – 11 credit hours
LDEV 669 Income Property Land Development 3 credit hours
Exploration of the characteristics of real estate as an investment, venture and capital structures, the development process, site and financial feasibility, and project funding; strategies, methods and technologies for investment property development utilizing current developments.
LDEV 650 Land and Property Development Analysis 3 credit hours
Exploration and analysis of the impact of site characteristics, market conditions, financial markets and development program on proposed developments for income producing properties; exploration of techniques for analyzing proposed commercial and residential land development projects.
LDEV 688 Development Feasibility and Design II (Capstone) 3 credit hours
Plans and venture structures for selected residential and non-residential development projects of varying size analyzed by student multidisciplinary teams with respect to the following; economic feasibility and cash flow and site and design plans and costs.
LDEV 685 Directed Studies (Online Portfolio) 2 credit hours
Creation of an online portfolio demonstrating the knowledge and competencies obtained in the Master of Land and Property Development coursework. Undertaken as the terminal requirement for the Master of Land and Property Development degree.
* Leveling course – not included in 36 total credit hour program requirement
Spring Admission Suggested Course Progression
Year 1 – 13 Credit Hours
Spring Semester – 12 credit hours
LDEV 667 Design and Development Economy 3 credit hours
Interface between the physical and financial dimensions in the design and development process to achieve building and project economics; creating a physical product and a financial venture that responds to social and environmental concerns and to market economy and feasibility analysis.
LDEV 668 Land Development Practice 3 credit hours
Strategies, methods and techniques of land development including: site selection criteria, urban infrastructure; market evaluation; conceptual arrangement of land uses and structures; conceptual design and regulatory considerations; lending institutions; location theory; value theories; regulatory agencies.
LDEV 661 Development and the Environment 3 credit hours
Land development in the context of environment sustainability, human well being and business profitability to foster a restorative economy; environmental easement and site analysis; state, federal and international regulatory issues; and human ecology and the future of land development.
LDEV 651 Property Development Agreements and Regulation 3 credit hours
Exploration of the characteristics of real estate as an investment, venture and capital structures, the development process, site and financial feasibility, and project funding; strategies, methods and technologies for investment property development utilizing current developments.
Summer Semester – 1 credit hour
LDEV 684 Professional Internship 1 credit hour
Professional practice under approved arrangement with public or private land or real estate development agencies in the United States or abroad.
Year 2 – 23 Credit Hours
Fall Semester – 12 credit hours
LDEV 664 Market Analysis for Development 3 credit hours
Techniques and data sources for market analysis for development; analysis for housing development; trade area analysis and market analysis for retail development; analysis for office, industrial parks and for specialized development.
LDEV 663 Introduction to Project Management 3 credit hours
Project management processes for planning, scheduling, cost estimating resource leveling, cost control and post-completion evaluation; issues in project organizational environments, documentation, quality control safety.
LDEV 669 Income Property Development 3 credit hours
Exploration of the characteristics of real estate as an investment, venture and capital structures, the development process, site and financial feasibility, and project funding; strategies, methods and technologies for investment property development utilizing current developments.
LDEV 687 Development Feasibility and Design I 3 credit hours
Selected residential and non-residential development projects of varying size analyzed by teams with respect to the following: economic feasibility and cash flow; site analysis; and design concept.
Spring Semester – 11 credit hours
LDEV 660 Fundamentals of Entrepreneurial Real Estate 3 credit hours
In-depth analysis of the four stages of entrepreneurial enterprise in the areas of land and property development including: the process of opportunity identification, building a business model, leveraging resources and relationships and developing an exit strategy; analysis of the four main specialization areas within the development process model including: planning, building, managing and operating properties from both the investor’s and tenant’s perspectives.
LDEV 650 Land and Property Development Analysis 3 credit hours
Exploration and analysis of the impact of site characteristics, market conditions, financial markets and development program on proposed developments for income producing properties; exploration of techniques for analyzing proposed commercial and residential land development projects.
LDEV 688 Development Feasibility and Design II (Capstone) 3 credit hours
Plans and venture structures for selected residential and non-residential development projects of varying size analyzed by student multidisciplinary teams with respect to the following; economic feasibility and cash flow and site and design plans and costs.
LDEV 685 Directed Studies (Online Portfolio) 2 credit hours
Featured Courses
Market Analysis for Development – FINC 664
Fundamentals of Entrepreneurial Real Estate – LDEV 689
Land Development and Sustainability Certificate
The certificate is designed to supplement the professional’s area of expertise without requiring the professional to complete a full degree or redundant coursework in their profession.
Certificate OverviewFAQ About the Program
Do you offer the program online?
We do have an online option. However, we keep this option reserved for students with a minimum of three years work experience post baccalaureate or by departmental approval. If you would like to inquire about the online program option, please contact Tim Early at [email protected] or Thena Morris at [email protected] for review and approval.
Will the program find an internship for me?
An internship with a real estate related company is required for graduation. Students are required to locate and negotiate their summer internship.
FAQ About the Admissions Process
What do we look for in an applicant?
Students may come from any disciplinary background, but some of the most common are construction science, landscape architecture, urban & regional planning, engineering, finance, and business. We value applicants with work experience, and with evidence of an entrepreneurial spirit.
What do I need to include in my application?
Submit your application at Texas A&M GradCas along with a non-refundable application fee.
Your application should include the following:
- Transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended
- 3 letters of recommendation (academic references preferred)
- Statement of Purpose
- Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
Read more about the Master of Land and Property Development application requirements
What are the admissions deadlines?
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester
To be given first consideration for admission into the MLPD program, please submit your application in the Texas A&M GradCAS portal by December 15. This date is known as the priority deadline. All applications received by December 15 will be reviewed for fall admission and be given full consideration for financial aid (including our recommendations for scholarships). Students being awarded scholarships must respond to their offer letter for the fall semester no later than April 15.
We will begin our formal review of MLPD applications after January 15. Applicants can expect a response letter from our department regarding a decision on their application sometime between late February and Mid-March.
Applications for admission regarding the fall semester will be accepted through June 15, but will not be considered for scholarships.
Spring Semester
Applications for admission for the spring semester will be accepted through October 1 each year.
If you are a current Texas A&M undergraduate senior (of any major), you may consider applying to our program via the Aggie Priority application within the Texas A&M GradCAS application portal.
Thank you for your interest in our MLPD program. We look forward to reviewing your application!
How much does it cost to attend?
The cost to attend varies depending on a variety of factors, including semester of admission, student type, how many hours you take per semester, and rate type. Additional costs to consider include course materials, housing, meal plans, parking, and fees.
For a better understanding of your total cost of attendance, please visit the Texas A&M University cost and tuition rates webpage. This webpage will provide you with an opportunity to review estimated cost of attendance information for undergraduate, graduate and professional students, as well as other resources such as the tuition calculator and billing and fee explanations.
What kinds of financial aid does the program offer?
The department and college both offer both scholarships and assistantships to students. About one-third to one-half of students receive some sort of assistance. Assistantships in the department involve a 20-hour a week work commitment and include a monthly stipend (salary). Scholarships range from $1,000 to $10,000. All applicants are departmentally considered for financial assistance without an additional application needed.
Who can I go to for questions?
For more information about the Master of Land and Property Development program, please contact Tim Early, MLPD Program Coordinator, at [email protected].
Questions about application requirements and process can be directed to Thena Morris at [email protected].
Contact
Thena Morris
Assistant Department Head
