Duquesne Launches Real Estate Major, Minor and Certificate

Designed for students ready to shape the future of urban and suburban spaces, foster community transformation and make a lasting economic impact, the Real Estate program blends rigorous academics with hands-on learning and industry engagement.
 
"Real estate is a large, multifaceted and dynamic sector of the U.S. economy. Consequently, employers are looking for real estate graduates who can contribute out of the gate," said Dr. Dean McFarlin, Dean of the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business. "Our program was designed in partnership with real estate industry experts to ensure our graduates are career-ready from day one—whether they're joining a commercial development firm, working in corporate real estate or pursuing entrepreneurial opportunities."

A Career-ready Curriculum

The Real Estate program builds on Duquesne's established strengths in sales, marketing, project management, finance, business analytics, entrepreneurship and accounting. The 24-credit hour major will prepare students for a variety of roles in commercial and residential development, real estate finance, brokerage, property management and corporate site selection. 
 
The 12-credit hour minor will provide business majors with an additional competitive edge for pursuing real estate-related careers. The 15-credit hour certificate will be aimed at students outside the business school—including engineering and environmental science—who want to add marketable real estate skills to their primary area of study.
 
"Broadly speaking, with real estate making up roughly 20% of the U.S. economy, there's never been a better time to enter the field. Our students will gain the knowledge, skills and hands-on experience to make a difference in the industry," says Dr. Karen Donovan, senior associate dean, academic programs and executive education.

Difference-making Opportunities

The School of Business's signature cornerstone-to-capstone experiential model will provide students with:

• Opportunities to work on real-world projects that matter with real estate industry firms as part of a course, both at the beginning (cornerstone) and end (capstone) of the curriculum
• Real estate networking events with alumni, corporate partners and industry leaders
• Co-curricular real estate competitions and activities (both internal and intercollegiate)
• One-on-one guidance from a Student Success Coach to align academic goals with career aspirations.

A Talent Pipeline for Employers

Pittsburgh's prime location, competitive real estate market and Duquesne's deep corporate connections create a direct pipeline from the classroom to the workplace. Employers will benefit from graduates who are trained to analyze deals, manage assets, navigate zoning and land use regulations, integrate sustainability into projects, and leverage emerging technologies such as AI and data analytics in real estate decision-making.  
 
“Real estate plays a vital role in shaping our communities. Having a university-based program rooted in Pittsburgh is particularly meaningful, as it will help create a pipeline of skilled professionals who can build upon the region’s transformation and continue economic development,” said Amy Broadhurst, B’06. Broadhurst holds an MS in real estate and serves as president and principal at Lee & Associates Western PA Commercial Real Estate Service and as a member of the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business Advisory Council. 

Duquesne University

Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities for its award-winning faculty and horizon-expanding education. A campus of more than 8,200 graduate and undergraduate students, Duquesne prepares students by having them work alongside faculty to discover and reach their goals. The University's academic programs, community service and commitment to equity and opportunity in the Pittsburgh region have earned national acclaim.

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