Taubman College Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning — in partnership with the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and School of Kinesiology — has launched a minor in real estate development, allowing undergraduate students studying in a variety of disciplines to supplement their major areas of study with broad knowledge of the fundamentals, formation, and finance of developments across the built environment. Drawing on faculty expertise from diverse perspectives and the global prominence of the university, the program guides students in integrating disciplines that shape the built and natural environment and enhance the quality of life for a broad range of populations.
“The program allows students to study across a variety of disciplines and learn on a number of different fronts related to real estate and development,” said Marc Norman, director of real estate initiatives at Taubman College and associate professor of practice in urban and regional planning. “No matter what a student’s degree program is, there’s a range of courses that align with their passions.”
Norman also noted that the program offers students more than a knowledge of real estate fundamentals: “They’ll learn how to apply that knowledge on the ground, in cities and other environments with real people. They’ll think about how to make real estate and development equitable and how it can be something that really changes the way we live, work, and play.”
The minor offers a progressive approach to developing real estate and the built environment in the U.S. and worldwide. With the University of Michigan’s proximity to Detroit, the program brings a focus on creating sustainable, healthy places that reduce environmental impact; enhance choices for people of all incomes; and investigate possibilities for enhanced walkability and wealth building. The varied conditions of our region provide lessons that can be applied widely. Students will learn and be engaged in debates and innovations about building sustainable places, minimizing ecological footprints, building a sense of place and motivating investors to care about the quality of the built environment; and feel proud of their role in co-creating equitable places.
The 15-credit minor is currently available to students enrolled at Taubman College, the Ross School of Business, and the School of Kinesiology. Learn more at studyrealestate.umich.edu.
