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Metropolitan State University (Home)

Real Estate and Community Development Undergraduate Certificate

College of Business and Management / Economics and Finance
Undergraduate certificate

About The Program

The goal of Metropolitan State University’s Undergraduate Certificate in Real Estate and Community Development is to build students’ understanding in the areas of community development, real estate, and the important intersection between them. We achieve this through a flexible combination of business courses focused on real estate and entrepreneurship, and social science courses focusing on organizing, developing and sustaining community to form a common foundation and allow students to pursue their personal and professional interests.

This program does not prepare a person for real estate licensure in Minnesota or in any other state. For information about Minnesota real estate licensure please see information posted by the Minnesota Commerce Department: https://mn.gov/commerce/licensees/real-estate/

Student outcomes

Note: The Undergraduate Certificate in Real Estate and Community Development is intended for students who are not currently pursuing a baccalaureate degree at Metropolitan State University. Students who are currently enrolled at Metro State are encouraged to pursue the Minor.

  • Discuss and differentiate between various career paths in real estate.
  • Explain and discuss the importance of fundamental economic, financial and legal concepts related to real estate.
  • Describe the tradeoffs made in any development plan and defend decisions that might be made in the face of these tradeoffs.
  • Compare and contrast different neighborhood and community development organizations’ approaches to accomplishing their missions and goals.
  • Explain how various legal, social and administrative practices marginalized diverse communities in the United States and in Minnesota
  • Propose strategies and tactics for undoing impacts of systemic racism in real estate and property ownership.

Related programs

How to enroll

Program eligibility requirements

Students should have completed at least 30 credits of post-secondary course work. At least one writing course is strongly recommended.

Metropolitan State University is a leader in credit for prior learning. Certifications, continuing professional education and work experiences can potentially be used to satisfy part of the 30-credit requirement.

Apply to Metropolitan State now

Start the journey toward your Real Estate and Community Development Undergraduate Certificate now. Learn about the steps to enroll or, if you have questions about what Metropolitan State can offer you, request information, visit campus or chat with an admissions counselor.

Get started on your Real Estate and Community Development Undergraduate Certificate

Courses and Requirements

SKIP TO COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Students must complete 18 credits to earn the certificate. However, students do not need to enroll in the certificate to take the listed courses.

Course Requirements

+ Required Courses

This class will examine theories and models of community development, and introduce students to the realities of community development work. The course explores the history of the community development field from its origins in the late 19th-century urbanization through present innovations fueled by grassroots, foundations and public policy initiatives. The lens of movement and industry approaches will be a key analytical tool. Three traditions in the field community building, community organizing, and community development will be critically examined and compared, including exploring the dynamic relationship between these three traditions. Special attention will be given to community development challenges facing traditionally disenfranchised communities, including factors of race, class and gender. The class will emphasize both a theoretical understanding of community dynamics, ad an introduction to practical skills used by people working in the community development field.

Full course description for Perspectives on Community Development

This course will introduce students to career paths in real estate and community development and multiple perspectives on how land use and real estate ownership, development and management impact diverse communities. This course will meet weekly and feature guest speakers who are leaders in real estate and community development.

Full course description for Introduction to Real Estate and Community Development (RECD)

This course introduces the fundamental concepts, principles, and analytic techniques applied in the field of real estate. Given the interdisciplinary nature of the real estate and real estate market, the course will cover topics including real estate law, urban economics, market valuation, real estate finance and investment. The goal of the course is to expose students to the world of real estate and prepare them for more advanced real estate courses.

Full course description for Principles of Real Estate

+ Electives: Choose any 8 credits from the list below

Students interesting in pursuing a business focus for this certificate should consider the following electives: ENTR 300: Interdisciplinary Business Knowledge and Skills for Non-Business Majors – 4 credits and REST 495: Real Estate Finance and Investment - 4 credits.

Students interested in pursuing a community development/organizing focus for this certificate should consider the following electives: SOC 381: Community Leadership: Principles and Approaches - 4 credits; SOC 311: Community Organizing and Social Action - 4 credits; POL 312: Advocacy for Policy Change - 4 credits; and, PSYC 363: Community Psychology – 4 credits.

Depending on student interest and the availability of opportunities and leadership, the following electives may be available: MGMT 350: Management Topics: University Real Estate Challenge – 2 credits and MGMT 350I: Management Individual Internship – 1-8 credits.