Delivery
In-person, evening classes at the Dubois Center
Real Estate, M.S.
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Why study real estate at UNC Charlotte?
Charlotte ranks #5 among the most attractive CRE investment markets in the U.S. — according to CBRE’s 2026 North American Investor Intentions Survey. That’s the market you’ll train in, network in, and launch your career from.
A center built for the industry, not just the classroom
The Childress Klein Center for Real Estate is the engine of this program — the kind of dedicated real estate center few graduate programs nationally can claim. It’s what makes the MSRE applied rather than theoretical.
- Fioretti Real Estate Investment Fund — Manage real capital. Conduct live due diligence. Make actual investment recommendations. This isn’t a simulation.
- 1:1 Industry Mentoring — Direct access to alumni and executives across development, brokerage, capital markets and asset management.
- Professional Designation Alignment — Curriculum is structured to support CCIM, CPM, MAI and NC Broker License preparation.
- International Study Abroad — Every student graduates with global market exposure built into the degree.
AACSB-accredited. Charlotte-rooted. Career-ready.
The result is a degree designed to translate directly into one of the country’s most active commercial real estate markets — the moment you graduate.
LEARN THE MARKET. LEAD IN IT.
The Difference is Charlotte
Charlotte isn’t just growing. 157 people move to the Charlotte Region every day, pushing the city toward 1 million residents — and 19 Fortune 1000 companies are already here to meet them. The M.S. in Real Estate connects you to the people and projects driving that demand.
Through the Childress Klein Center for Real Estate, you’ll gain access to industry seminars, mentoring, competitions, applied research and the Fioretti Real Estate Fund, where the Charlotte Advantage becomes tangible: market proximity, practitioner access and real investment analysis.
M.S. in Real Estate
Career Outcomes
The program prepares students for roles in development, asset management, investment analysis, acquisition, property management, market research, finance and portfolio-level decision-making.
Graduates work with organizations such as Greystar, Truist, Crescent Communities, Northwood Ravin, Childress Klein, CBRE, Wells Fargo, Lincoln Harris, Bank of America and Merrill Lynch.
Lightcast 2025 (Lightcast.io) + UNC Charlotte Next Destination Survey. Note that career earnings potential reflects alumni career trajectory, not immediate starting salary.
$163K
1:1
89%
Curriculum and Applied Experience
The 32-credit curriculum is built around how real estate actually works: capital, markets, development, valuation, asset management, law, investment and decision-making.
- 21 credit hours of required core coursework
- 12 credit hours of elective coursework
- Required capstone course
- Required international study abroad experience
Core classes
- MSRE 6100 – Real Estate Seminar Fall
- MSRE 6101 – Real Estate Seminar – Spring
- MSRE 6102 – International Real Estate Study Tour
- MSRE 6120 – Real Estate Law
- MSRE 6158 – Real Estate Finance and Investment
- MSRE 6160 – Real Estate Capital Markets
- MSRE 6245 – Real Estate Market Analysis
- MSRE 6258 – Site Feasibility Analysis
- MSRE 6999 – Real Estate Capstone
Elective Courses
- MSRE 6130 – Site Planning
- MSRE 6152 – Financial Management
- MSRE 6159 – Real Estate Development
- MSRE 6210 – Student Managed Real Estate Investment Fund I
- MSRE 6211 – Student Managed Real Estate Investment Fund II
- MSRE 6220 – Financial Analysis of Real Estate Investments
- MSRE 6230 – Construction Management
- MSRE 6238 – Real Estate and Urban Economics
- MSRE 6240 – Real Estate Valuation Methods
- MSRE 6242 – Asset Management or MSRE 6310 – Land Use Policy
Other program benefits include:
Fioretti Real Estate Investment Fund
For our students, the Fioretti Fund is where the curriculum becomes practice.
Through the fund, you’ll conduct live due diligence on commercial real estate investment opportunities — site visits, market analysis, partner engagement, confidential deal review and formal investment recommendations. The fund invests approximately $50,000 in commercial real estate projects, giving you experience closer to an investment committee process than a classroom case study.
Industry Mentoring, Competitions and Study Abroad
- 1:1 mentoring with alumni and industry executives connects students to Charlotte’s real estate network
- Industry seminar series provides regular access to practitioners across development, brokerage, capital markets and asset management
- Real estate competitions let students apply analytical skills against peer programs under real competitive pressure
- Required international study abroad alternates between Ireland and Italy, giving comparative exposure to European real estate markets
Professional Pathways and Designations
M.S. in Real Estate coursework may support progress toward several recognized credentials:
- CCIM — Certified Commercial Investment Member
- Graduates receive credit for three of the four CCIM core courses and for all three elective credits normally required. MSRE graduates will need to complete the following to become a CCIM member:
- Submit a CCIM University Fast Track Application and apply for Candidacy
- Complete CCIM core course: CI 103 User Decision Analysis
- Fulfill the CCIM Portfolio Requirement
- Pass the CCIM Comprehensive Exam
- Graduates receive credit for three of the four CCIM core courses and for all three elective credits normally required. MSRE graduates will need to complete the following to become a CCIM member:
- CPM — Certified Property Manager
- MAI — Member, Appraisal Institute
- North Carolina Real Estate Broker License
You should talk with an advisor about your specific designation pathway before applying or enrolling.
Still trying to decide?
Find out more about the M.S. in Real Estate program at an in-person or virtual information session, or speak with our recruitment specialist.
Ready to apply?
Apply now to the MSRE program at UNC Charlotte and gain the skills and experience needed to excel in the real estate industry.
Is the M.S. in Real Estate the right program for me?
The M.S. in Real Estate may be a strong fit if you are:
- A CRE professional ready to move from transaction support into transaction leadership.
- A broker, analyst, property manager, developer, underwriter or lender seeking broader market and investment expertise.
- A finance or banking professional who wants to shift into real estate investment, development or asset management.
- A career-changer from an adjacent field looking for a rigorous, credential-bearing pathway into commercial real estate.
- A professional who wants designation pathways, mentoring and applied investment experience in the same program.
No real estate background is required to apply. Preparatory coursework needs are assessed individually during admissions.
More Real Estate Options
Tuition + Fees
Total tuition and fees for the 2026-2027 academic year are approximately:
- North Carolina residents: ~$31,000
- Non-residents of North Carolina: ~$39,500
These are estimated figures for the total program cost. For more information, visit Niner Central, the best place to find a breakdown of tuition and fees associated with your graduate education.
Tuition Assistance
The M.S. in Real Estate program typically award between $70,000 – $90,000 in scholarships each year to a student class of approximately 30 students. Awards range from $1,000 – $20,000 per student each year and are awarded based on merit, affiliation with trade organization groups and other qualifying factors.
There may also be scholarship opportunities for many qualifying students. The NinerScholars Portal opens each year in late October. Newly admitted students who will begin classes in the fall 2026 semester, and continuing students are eligible to apply for scholarships that, if awarded, will be credited to the student’s account for the 2026-27 academic year.
- After logging in, you’ll receive a customized list of scholarships that you may be eligible to apply for. Criteria, required materials and deadlines will be clearly listed for each scholarship.
- Students admitted for spring 2026 will need to wait until classes start on January 13, 2027 to log into the NinerScholars Portal, since scholarships for spring 2026 have already been awarded.
- Scholarships being applied for in the current cycle, if awarded, will be credited to the student’s account for the 2026-27 academic year (fall 2026, spring 2027).
- For specific questions, please contact the Belk College of Business Graduate Programs Office.
Additional information on financial aid and student loans is available on Niner Central’s website.
Application requirements + Admissions
What you’ll submit
- Completed online application
- Statement of purpose (essay)
- Three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s personal and professional qualifications
- Unofficial transcript(s) of all academic work attempted beyond high school. An official transcript must be submitted if an applicant is offered admission.
- Resume or a description of work experience. If you are a member of any local real estate industry organizations, please make sure you include these on your resume.
Admissions Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0.
- A satisfactory score on the GRE/GMAT test unless approved for a GMAT/GRE Waiver.
- Prerequisite courses in Financial Management and Micro + Macro Economics.
International Admissions
In addition to all of the requirements listed above, international applicants must submit an official TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo score.
- TOEFL: Minimum score of 83 internet-based is required
- IELTS: Minimum overall band score of 6.5 is required
- Duolingo: Minimum score of 115 is required.
International applicants should refer to the International Admissions website for deadlines and additional admissions information.
TEST SCORES
GMAT/GRE WAIVER
GMAT/GRE waivers are available for qualified applicants. To be eligible for a GMAT/GRE waiver, candidates must fully satisfy the requirements of one of the following options:
Option A
- Minimum 3.5 cumulative GPA (graduate or undergraduate) from an accredited institution.
- Only candidates with significant quantitative coursework will be considered.
Option B
- Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA (graduate or undergraduate) from an accredited institution
- Candidates must possess 5 years of professional experience in a relevant field or military experience that demonstrates applied and analytical skills (significant leadership experience is a plus).
How to request your waiver
- Start your application through Graduate Admissions.
- Review the waiver criteria in the graduate catalog.
- Select the GRE/GMAT Waiver Request option in the application.
- Upload your resume, transcripts and your amount of years of full-time, professional work experience.
- Submit — you will be notified of the decision by email.
If your waiver is not approved, you will be required to submit official GMAT/GRE scores. Questions? Contact Kimberly McLaurin.
Application Deadlines
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and priority deadlines are considered for scholarships and funding opportunities, so APPLY EARLY.
Fall (August start)
- Priority Consideration: March 1
- Final Consideration: August 1
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a real estate background to apply?
No. The program serves real estate professionals, finance and banking professionals, and career-changers from adjacent fields. Preparatory coursework needs are reviewed individually during admissions.
Can I complete the program while working full time?
Yes. Evening classes at The Dubois Center are designed for working professionals. Many part-time students complete the degree in approximately 2-2.5 years.
What is the Fioretti Real Estate Fund?
A student-managed real estate investment fund operated through the Childress Klein Center for Real Estate. Students conduct live due diligence on commercial real estate investment opportunities and present recommendations through a formal review process.
What professional designations can the program support?
Coursework may support pathways toward CCIM, CPM, MAI and the North Carolina Real Estate Broker License. You should confirm your preferred pathway with an advisor.
Is study abroad required?
Yes — a required international study abroad experience that alternates between Ireland and Italy.
Is a dual degree available?
Yes. Students can combine the M.S. in Real Estate with the JL Price MBA. An advisor can help map requirements and timeline.
Is the GMAT/GRE required?
Yes, but GMAT/GRE waivers are available for qualified applicants.
Upcoming events
No events found.
Contact Us
Have Questions?
Ready for a one-on-one conversation?
Contact Kimberly McLaurin, Assistant Director of Enrollment for Belk College Graduate Programs.
Apply early to secure your spot and be considered for priority review.
Connect with our recruitment specialist to explore your next step.
Real Estate, M.S.
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Program Overview
The M.S. in Real Estate (MSRE) program equips you with the essential skills to pursue careers such as development associate, underwriter, broker, asset and property manager, acquisition specialist and investment/financial analyst. The program features the Fioretti Real Estate Investment Fund, providing hands-on experience in real estate investment and management. Our graduates have secured positions at leading Charlotte real estate firms, including Childress Klein, Crescent Communities, Grubb Properties, CB Richard Ellis, Wells Fargo, Lincoln Harris, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch and many others.
Program Contact
Kimberly McLaurin
Assistant Director, Belk College of Business Graduate Programs
Still trying to decide?
Find out more about the M.S. in Real Estate program at an in-person or virtual information session, or speak with our recruitment specialist.
Ready to apply?
Apply now to the MSRE program at UNC Charlotte and gain the skills and experience needed to excel in the real estate industry. Transform your career with hands-on learning and connections to top firms.
Real Estate, M.S. at a Glance
The M.S. in Real Estate can fast-track you for several prestigious real estate professional designations, enhancing your career prospects and industry credibility. Academic coursework from the MSRE program can be used toward the following designations:
- CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member)
- CPM® (Certified Property Manager) Designation Fast Track
- MAI (Member, Appraisal Institute) Designation Fast Track
- North Carolina Real Estate License Fast Track
Explore Official University Catalog
Check out the official catalog for information on specific degree requirements, course progressions, curriculum and more.