Master of Science in Land Development program overview

Where Design Meets Business
The Master of Science in Land Development (MSLD) is an entrepreneurship-oriented program of study which combines MBA-type courses with physical planning, design and construction in an international context. It deals with development of physical form and financial venture in a manner that fits site ecology and market economy with entrepreneurial interests and regulatory guidelines.

One of only five Land & Real Estate Development programs in the US, and the only of its kind in a top 10 public university, the program attracts students from practically every academic discipline. The MSLD utilizes individually-tailored curricula to teach such a diverse group how to create ecologically sensible, socially responsible, and financially feasible development ventures.

The MSLD program dissolves the boundaries between planning, construction and environmental issues and between finance, accounting and market issues. It adds computer skills and a global perspective to give graduates a competitive edge in today’s international marketplace.

Land Development courses

Course Listings – Land Development Courses
2005 – 2006 Graduate Catalog
2005-2006 Academic Calendar

Master of Land Development Faculty

Atef Sharkawy, MSLD Program Coordinator

Professors

* These are the faculty who are primarily associated with the MSLD Program

Master of Science in Land Development program student information

Testimonials

Rick Rodriguez
President MAGI Real Estate Services & President of DIAC 2005
“ The MSLD program gave me a solid academic foundation to succeed with my own company. As president of the Program’s Development Industry Advisory Council (DIAC), I’m committed to enhancing the programs professional edge even further, and to insuring that its students are mentored and assisted by the alumni.”

Andrew James Anderson
2005 President of REDA
“ I came to Texas A&M University to redirect my career. Guided by my advisor and Alumni Mentors, I am now completing an MSLD + MSFINC two-degree Program. I know I will have many job opportunities with the help of my MSLD Alumni Mentors and industry connections I established through the Program’s extracurricular activities.”

Ben Cornish
Director of Development Wal-Mart China
“ I am now located in China and starting my ninth year in Asia doing real estate development. This was my dream and it would not have been possible without my two degree transnational program with a Texas A&M MSLD and a Certificate in International Development from University of Hong Kong.”

List of students, and profiles.[more]

Admission to the Master of Science in Land Development program

Download application

Applications for admission to Texas A&M University can be downloaded from Office of Admissions and Records Web site

Mail appropriate documentation to the university

To apply, applicants must mail a completed application, official transcripts from all universities and/or colleges attended, Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score and application fee -- $50 for domestic applicants and $75 for international applicants -- to the following address.

Graduate Admissions
Texas A&M University
P.O Box 40001
College Station, Texas 77842-4001
USA

Please note: Include an e-mail address with each item submitted to Texas A&M University. DO NOT send portfolio, letters of recommendation and statement of purpose to the university address (listed directly above). GRE scores will not be waived!

Mail appropriate documents to the respective department

Mail three letters of recommendation, resume and statement of purpose to the following address.

Please note: DO NOT send application, GRE scores, TOEFL score, and application fee to the college address (listed directly above). Include an e-mail address with each item submitted to Texas A&M University.

Master of Science in Land Development
Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning
Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843-3137

Important considerations

Please include an e-mail address with each item submitted to Texas A&M University.

All requested information -- GRE, TOEFL, transcripts, fees, etc. -- must be received before applications will be reviewed. The application fee cannot be waived or paid for by the department.

GRE scores will not be waived.

Applicants may check their application status online at the Office of Admissions and Records Web site

Application deadlines

Spring semester - August 1
Summer sessions - November 1
Fall semester - March 1

International students who seek financial assistance and fellowships should submit all application materials to the Admissions Office by January 1 for fall entry.

All students who seek financial assistance and fellowships should submit all application materials to the Admissions Office by January 1 for fall entry.

For program information, please contact the graduate program coordinator for the Master of Science in Land Development

Dr. Atef Sharkawy
sharkawy@tamu.edu
(979) 845-7883
Room: Langford A 342

Financing Education

Your education is an investment of your time and money. At this time in your life it is likely the largest investment you will make. The University’s Department of Student Financial Aid offers information regarding applying for financial aid, finding a job on or off campus, managing your finances, and other resources designed to help you achieve your goal of attaining a graduate degree.

Land Development scholarships and fellowships

MSLD - MSLD Gibson Scholarship - Funds donated by the Heirs of M.O. Gibson after completion of a land development project in Lufkin, Texas. The monies are to be used for scholarship for deserving Master of Science in Land Development students.

R. Joseph Reeves Endowed Memorial Scholarship - Endowed by the Roy T. Reeves Family Trust; awarded to a graduate or undergraduate student in the College of Architecture in good academic standing.

Colonel James E. Ray '63 Endowed Scholarship - Established by alumni, colleagues and friends to recognize the accomplishments of Colonel James E. Ray '63; awarded on a rotating basis to a full-time student in one of the three College of Architecture departments. The award is based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities and financial need.

Resources for Students...[more]

Career Information...[more]

Land Development student organizations

Complementing the academic MSLD content is the program’s student association Real Estate Development Association (REDA), organized for development of leadership, communication and interpersonal skills, and for building students’ professional industry networks. Student leaders become industry leaders and join the MSLD’s Industry Advisory Council (DIAC). Members participate in program management, fund scholarships, and provide guidance to students through its DIAC committees, such as the “MSLD Mentors” and the “Collaborative Teaching” Committees.

Land Development related links

Design, Construction and Planning Resources

• archINFORM
• Architect Online
• Cyburbia-The Planning and Architecture internet Resource Center
• designerNET
• Links for Planners
• The Residential Energy Efficiency Database (REED)

Environmental Resources

• EcoDesign Resource Page
• United States Environmental Protection Agency

Financial and Economic Resources

• Federal Housing Finance Board
• Commercial Mortgage Lender Databank
• Consumer Price Index
• International Monetary Fund (IMF)
• White House Economic Statistics Briefing Room
• Yahoo: Finance and Mortgage Rate

Government and Legislation

• Political Science and Economic Library Texas A&M University
• State of Texas
o Texas State Government Information
o Texas Legislature Online
• The Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
• Thomas Legislative Information on the Net
• US. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Yahoo: US. Government Index

Organizations

• American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association (AREUEA)
• American Real Estate Society (ARES)
• American Resort Development Association
• Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)
• Commercial Investment Real Estate Institute (CIREI)
• FIABCI - International Real Estate Federation
• Habitat for Humanity International
• Institute of Real Estate Management
• International Council of Shopping Center
• International Hotel Association
• National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB)
• National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)
• National Association of Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP)
• The National Association of Real Estate Investment Trust (NAREIT)
• National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM)
• National Housing Institute
• National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) / American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA)
• National Property Management Association
• Real Estate Capital Resources Association (RECRA)
• Real Estate Research Institute
• The American Institute of Architects (AIA)
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Urban Institute
• Urban Land Institute (ULI)

News / Publication

• Local
o The Battalion
o The Bryan-College Station Eagle
• Real Estate News and Publication
o Commercial Investment Real Estate Journal
o Real Estate Center Online News
o Real Estate Journal Interactive (Delaware - Pennsylvania - New Jersey)
o Real Estate Journal Interactive (Maryland - Washington, DC. - Virginia)
o Today's Real Estate News (Yahoo)
• Domestic and International News
o CNN
o Fortune
o Time
o USA Todays
o USNew

Membership Directories

• American Planning Association (APA)
• American Real Estate & Urban Economics Association (AREUEA)
• Commercial Invesment Real Estate Institute (CCIM)
• Urban Land Institute (ULI)

Statistic Resources

• General database
o Economic Analysis
o Projected Population
• Commercial, Office, Industrial
o CB Richard Ellis
o International Shopping Center
o Retailing Study
• Housing Market
o Fannie Mae
o HUD User
o National Association Home Builder
o Cohousing

Program-Related Achievements

MSLD Class of 2004
Daniel Dixon, Senior Project Manger/Project Planner, Canin Associates
Young Park, Assistant Developer, GS Development, Korea
Nipat Wattanatittan, Manger/Investment Advisory, Debenham Tie Leung, Singapore

MSLD Class of 2003
Edward Gray, Owner/Attorney, L.J. Melody & Company
Jason Strong, Land Analyst, KB Home Raleigh-Durham, LLC
Phillip Thompson, Land Acquisition Manger, KB Home

MSLD Class of 2002
Miriam Azuara, PhD Student, Texas A&M University
David Boyd, Analyst, Orix Capital Markets
Kent Cummings, Analyst, Orix Capital Markets, LLC
Jeremiah Gore, Project Manger, Toll Brothers
James Harbur, Analyst, Orix Capital Markets
Jonathon Hilley, Analyst, Orix Capital Markets
Bryan Martin, Assistant Engineer, The Moore Group