Master of Land and Property Development
The Master of Land and Property Development (MLPD) at Texas A&M is where real estate design meets business. You’ll learn to pair business and finance with physical planning, design and construction to develop residential and commercial properties.
You will also gain the practical skills needed to succeed in the real estate industry. We will prepare you to convert land from one use to another, from selecting the right piece of land to developing the property.
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Where Design Meets Business
One of the few real estate development programs in the nation, our MLPD program attracts students from many academic disciplines. It boasts the quickest master’s track in the school, with most graduates completing the program in 15 months. After completing the program, you will be able to:
- 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 fast track for students to earn the 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:
CEO, Midway Companies
Jonathan Brinsden
Mixed use development or commercial development
Regional Director, Zonda
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
Vice President, Houston Ashlar Development
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
LDEV 667 Design and Development Economy 3 credit hours
LDEV 687 Development Feasibility & Design I 3 credit hours
LDEV 663 Introduction to Project Management 3 credit hours
Spring Semester – 12 credit hours
LDEV 661 Development and the Environment 3 credit hours
LDEV 668 Land Development Practice 3 credit hours
LDEV 660 Fundamentals of Entrepreneurial Real Estate 3 credit hours
LDEV 651 Property Development Agreements and Regulation 3 credit hours
Summer Semester – 1 credit hour
LDEV 684 Professional Internship 1 credit hour
Year 2 11 credit hours
Fall Semester – 11 credit hours
LDEV 669 Income Property Land Development 3 credit hours
LDEV 650 Land and Property Development Analysis 3 credit hours
LDEV 688 Development Feasibility and Design II (Capstone) 3 credit hours
LDEV 685 Directed Studies (Online Portfolio) 2 credit hours
* Leveling course – not included in 36 total credit hour program requirement
Download Fall Admission Course Progression (PDF)
Spring Admission Suggested Course Progression
Year 1 13 credit hours
Spring Semester – 12 credit hours
LDEV 667 Design and Development Economy 3 credit hours
LDEV 668 Land Development Practice 3 credit hours
LDEV 661 Development and the Environment 3 credit hours
LDEV 651 Property Development Agreements and Regulation 3 credit hours
Summer Semester – 1 credit hour
LDEV 684 Professional Internship 1 credit hour
Year 2 23 credit hours
Fall Semester – 12 credit hours
LDEV 664 Market Analysis for Development 3 credit hours
LDEV 663 Introduction to Project Management 3 credit hours
LDEV 669 Income Property Development 3 credit hours
LDEV 687 Development Feasibility and Design I 3 credit hours
Spring Semester – 11 credit hours
LDEV 660 Fundamentals of Entrepreneurial Real Estate 3 credit hours
LDEV 650 Land and Property Development Analysis 3 credit hours
LDEV 688 Development Feasibility and Design II (Capstone) 3 credit hours
LDEV 685 Directed Studies (Online Portfolio) 2 credit hours
* Leveling course – not included in 36 total credit hour program requirement *
Download Spring Admission Course Progression (PDF)
Featured Courses
FAQ 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 and with extenuating circumstances. If you would like to inquire about the online program option, please contact Tim Early at time86@arch.tamu.edu or Thena Morris at t-morris@tamu.edu for review and approval.
What are the differences between the MLPD and MRE programs?
Both programs are excellent preparation for careers in real estate. The MLPD program focuses more on the physical parts of development — development conceptualization, site acquisition, and site development — while the MRE program focuses on the financial aspects of real estate.
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.
Applying to the MLPD Program
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 architecture, 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?
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. All applications received by December 15 will be reviewed for fall admission and be given full consideration for financial aid (including our recommendations for graduate assistantships and scholarships). (The MLPD program admits students for entry in the fall and spring; the spring application deadline is October 1.)
Applications received after December 15 will be reviewed and considered for admission — however, considerations for financial aid may be limited.
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.
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. A separate offer letter will follow if financial aid is being offered. April 15 is our deadline for applicants to return offer letters to LAUP to indicate their intention to study land and property development at Texas A&M University.
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 school 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 time86@arch.tamu.edu.
Questions about application requirements and process can be directed to Thena Morris at t-morris@tamu.edu.
Helpful Resources
Earn your degree where you are
Same program, more flexibility. Beginning fall 2021, you can earn your degree where you already are. Courses will be offered asynchronously, so you can take classes while keeping your day job.