News
Three New Programs at the School of Architecture
March 2nd, 2009 — The School of Architecture is now offering three new academic programs that emerged from longstanding faculty interests, the Master of Real Estate Development and Urbanism, the Bachelor of Architecture / Master of Business Administration, and the Certificate in Historic Preservation.
Master of Real Estate Development and Urbanism
The one-year Master of Real Estate Development and Urbanism program blends the fundamentals of development with the School of Architecture’s strengths in community design and civic engagement. Courses began in Fall of 2008 and the full one-year program launched in 2009. The master of real estate draws on the combined strengths of the Schools of Architecture, Business, Law and Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences’ Urban Studies Program to create a competitive, interdisciplinary curriculum. The program prepares students to compete in the fast-paced world of urban real estate development. Students learn new practices in real estate finance, market analysis, land use policy, project management and development practices, among other topics. At the same time, students benefit from being located in one of the country’s most dynamic real estate markets.
“Our goal at the School of Architecture is to produce places of lasting value and benefit. Real estate development is an essential component of shaping communities, and educating tomorrow’s community builders in implementation as well as design is a natural extension of the School’s mission,” notes Dean Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk. The master’s program builds on a well-received series of seminars and courses in real estate development and urbanism offered by the School of Architecture since 2004. Both real estate developers and academics contributed to shaping a program that is relevant and timely. Administered by the School of Architecture, the program is directed by Professor Charles C. Bohl. “The real estate industry is in the midst of a major paradigm shift and the University of Miami program will equip professionals to respond to dramatic demographic changes, rising costs for energy, land, construction, and housing, and changing lifestyle preferences with urban development models that are both profitable and sustainable. The program will also prepare real estate professionals to respond to a more demanding public and complicated regulatory process that is emerging in response to growth pressures through participatory planning practices, code reform and public-private partnerships.”
Bachelor of Architecture / Master of Business Administration
The Bachelor of Architecture/Master of Business Administration is a joint program that offers students the unique opportunity of completing the two degrees in six years, instead of seven. Enrolled students begin taking graduate level business courses during the fourth year of their architecture program. Both degree programs are fully accredited. _“This program is designed to attract quality students who are looking for ways to diversify their credentials and grow professionally into a niche in the market, opening up competitive opportunities,” says Denis Hector, Associate Dean of the School of Architecture, which created the program in conjunction with the School of Business. Among the courses included in the MBA curriculum, are “Legal and Ethical Implications of Business Decision Making,” “Business Policy and Strategy,” and “Strategic Marketing.”
Certificate in Historic Preservation
The Certificate in Historic Preservation is a credit component of the curriculum that allows both undergraduate and graduate students to expand their knowledge in historic preservation while completing their degrees. The new program builds on the School’s strengths in history, urban design and community building and a regional approach to architecture and landscape development. The diversity of characteristic and threatened buildings, urban districts and landscapes in South Florida and the Caribbean provide an ideal laboratory for the exploration of evolving issues in historic preservation. The certificate program will stress an interdisciplinary approach and will allow specialization in areas of regional significance, such as tropical architecture. Program resources include Miami’s professional community with its extensive experience in preservation in practice.
For more information about these programs, contact the Office of Academic Services at 305-284-3731.