Law and Real Estate Development intersect in numerous ways academically and professionally.  Common ground includes issues of land development; property; regulatory systems (such as zoning, environmental controls, finance, and other municipal, state or federal regulations); affordable housing; real estate law; housing and business development.

Taken separately the programs in Law and Real Estate Development require 138 graduate credit hours and a five-year commitment, or 90 credits and three years of study toward the JD and 48 credits and two years of study toward the MSRED. By permitting some elective courses to count toward both degrees, the MSRED/JD dual-degree program reduces this commitment to 129 credits hours over four years of full-time study.

For tuition purposes, students are resident in the Law School for three years of study and in the School of Architecture and Planning for one year. 

Notes:

[1] Although dual degree students can start in either program, we recommend that students begin in the MSRED to ensure compliance with limitations on the years to complete the degree (5) and to provide for continuity between the first and second years of the law program.

[2] Depending on availability, this course may have to be taken in the spring. It must, however, be taken in the second year of law school (third year of joint program).

[3] Bridge courses are taken during the winter session.  Thus, credits taken over bridge are not part of the maximum number of credits that may be taken by students over the spring semester. Anything over 16 credits per semester (whether solely law school courses or a combined set of law and RSD courses) requires a waiver by the law school.  In no event may a law school student take over 18 credits a semester when taking a law or combined law and RSD semester due to accreditation standards.

[4] If students are in the bottom 40% of their entering law classes, then certain additional courses are required and would replace law electives.  This includes Evidence, Business Associations, and certain Bar-related courses. In the 4^th year, students on Mandatory Supplemental will need to take Bar Success Essay Writing OR Bar success overview and bar exam strategies.