Abbey Master of Real Estate Development + Design
UC Berkeley’s Abbey Master of Real Estate Development + Design is a rigorous, multidisciplinary program that prepares you to shape the future of real estate development in a rapidly urbanizing world. Rooted in an understanding of the social, economic, and environmental responsibilities of real estate professionals, the program immerses you in the fundamentals of real estate development, including market analysis, finance, land use law, approvals, and construction, while also emphasizing the critical roles of design, resiliency, equity, and sustainability.
Offered as a full-time, one-year or a part-time, two-year program, UC Berkeley’s Abbey MRED+D begins annually in late May or early June with an intensive summer session designed to level the field in fundamental skills, followed by the fall and spring semesters, which build on that foundation toward mastery and creative thinking. It culminates in a self-directed capstone project, with the option to pursue a formal concentration in finance or affordable housing. The Abbey MRED+D is designated as a STEM degree, granting three years of post-graduation U.S. work eligibility to those attending on an F-1 student visa.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
UC Berkeley’s Abbey MRED+D prepares you to make real decisions in a real world — one that urgently needs thoughtful, ethical, and innovative developers. Real estate development is a field as complex as it is consequential. It’s where economics and finance meet design, where land-use policy intersects with vision, and where decisions actively shape the built environment, impacting individuals, families, and entire communities. The Abbey MRED+D program is built on three foundational pillars: skills, values, and professional networking.
Skills
In this program, you’ll do more than learn — you’ll master the language of finance, the fundamentals of real estate economics, and the core principles of development. These are not abstract academic exercises; they are the core competencies of any successful developer. And without these skills, it’s nearly impossible to effectively apply the second pillar: values.
Values
A true professional in this field leads with integrity, responsibility, and a commitment to long-term impact. Real estate development is not just about building structures — it’s about balancing vision, numbers, and negotiation in ways that respect context, community, and future consequences. What we build — and how we build it — has lasting implications: financial, environmental, and social. Our goal is to graduate highly capable professionals and principled leaders who understand the weight of the decisions they will make.
Professional Networking
Professional engagement is at the core of UC Berkeley’s Abbey MRED+D program. To help you build and strengthen connections within the industry, we provide a dedicated director of career services, a structured mentorship program (MRED+D Connect), and signature events such as our spring Career Day and the RE-Focus series. In addition, we host panels, workshops, site visits, and a variety of other events throughout the year — all designed to expand your professional exposure and networking opportunities.
“I like to think of our program as having three critical components. The first is a set of skills essential for professional success, including rigorous training in finance, entitlements, construction, and other key competencies. The second is a set of values that shape our graduates into responsible and ethical professionals. The third is a dedicated effort to connect our students to the professional realm and help them build meaningful industry relationships.”
—Aleks Baharlo, Abbey MRED+D Executive Director
FINANCE + AFFORDABLE HOUSING CONCENTRATIONS
In the Abbey MRED+D program, you have the option to pursue a concentration in finance or affordable housing, available to both full-time and part-time students. To earn a concentration, students must complete pre-approved electives — finance concentration electives are offered through the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, while affordable housing electives are offered through the Department of City & Regional Planning. Ben Metcalf, managing director of the Terner Center for Housing Innovation and research professor of City & Regional Planning, serves as the affordable housing concentration advisor.
“If you want to study affordable housing, Berkeley is the place.”
—Christopher Frye (MRED+D 2025)
UC BERKELEY’S COMPETITVE EDGE
ABBEY MRED+D’s EXCEPTIONAL VALUE POSITION
- The UC Berkeley advantage: UC Berkeley boasts an unbeatable reputation as the nation’s top public research university. The university’s history and culture inspire students to launch innovative careers that address the world’s most pressing social, environmental, and economic challenges.
- A world-class college: Our faculty are leaders in urban development, promoting not only profitability but also sustainability, design excellence, economic opportunity, and social equity.
- The Bay Area’s business vitality: The Abbey MRED+D is embedded in the San Francisco Bay Area’s vibrant nexus of technology innovation, business leadership, and progressive real estate development firms. In our program, you’ll engage with real estate entrepreneurs across a wide range of sectors in the Bay Area and across California.
- Practitioner-instructors: Nearly all Abbey MRED+D instructors are also practicing professionals — distinguished developers, designers, and planners — serving as invaluable resources and mentors. They bring up-to-the-minute expertise on the current state of the development field, as well as connect you to their own extensive networks and an impressive slate of guest speakers.
- Career services: An Abbey MRED+D degree opens the door to a wide range of career opportunities and networking events in real estate development. You’ll have ample opportunities to explore career pathways, build industry connections, and engage with our active network of alums. The Abbey MRED+D features a dedicated director of career and professional development who supports you in identifying and pursuing your professional goals throughout the year. In addition, the campus-wide Berkeley Real Estate Club offers opportunities to meet and network.
- Mentorship program: The Abbey MRED+D Connect Mentorship Program links you with real estate industry leaders across various sectors, offering opportunities to learn from and build long-lasting relationships with accomplished professionals. The program takes place during the fall and spring semesters, as you prepare to embark on your professional journey.
- Bernadette Ma Career Day: At this annual networking event, you’ll meet representatives from local real estate organizations and hear from a panel of industry professionals. You’ll learn about the mission, values, and experiences of various organizations. Plus, you can practice your job pitch in an informal, supportive setting.
- A degree for the future: Our program not only teaches the fundamentals of real estate development but also emphasizes the critical roles of design, resiliency, equity, and sustainability. The Abbey MRED+D prepares you for a rapidly urbanizing world with ever-changing challenges, such as climate change, inequality, and the need for affordable housing.
