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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: 

About the program

The MLPD draws from all of the disciplines in the School 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

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
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 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 687 Development Feasibility & 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.
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.

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 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 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 

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
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
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 *

Download Spring Admission Course Progression (PDF)

Featured Courses

LDEV 689 Fundamentals of Entrepreneurial Real Estate
LDEV 688 Development Feasibility and Design II (Capstone)
FINC 664 Market Analysis for Development

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 laupgradprograms@arch.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:

  1. Transcripts from all colleges or universities you have attended
  2. 3 letters of recommendation (academic references preferred)
  3. Statement of Purpose
  4. 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. Use the Texas A&M Tuition Calculator to get the best estimate of your tuition cost per semester.

Additional costs to consider include course materials, housing, meal plans, parking, and fees.

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 laupgradprograms@arch.tamu.edu.

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.

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