Arizona's only Bachelor of Science in Real Estate program launches fall 2025
The University of Arizona College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture will launch Arizona's only Bachelor of Science in Real Estate program in fall 2025.
The Bachelor of Science in Real Estate comes at a crucial time for the growing real estate industry, which needs a new generation of professionals with a comprehensive understanding of design, urban planning, and real estate finance.
Set against the backdrop of the Sonoran Desert, students in the real estate program will gain valuable experience tackling the region's real estate challenges, including rapid growth, the need for affordable housing, and the impacts of extreme heat.
This hands-on learning is especially relevant given data reported in 2024 by the Urban Land Institute (ULI), which ranks Phoenix metro as second in the country for overall real estate prospects. The report cites a business-friendly environment, affordable housing, good quality of life, and population growth as key reasons for the Phoenix market’s positive outlook.
ULI is a non-profit education and research organization dedicated to providing leadership in responsible land use and creating sustainable, thriving communities.
In line with these promising prospects, the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages highlights that the state of Arizona has more than 60,000 real estate jobs, a number that has steadily increased over the last decade.
Daniel Kuhlmann, Assistant Professor of Real Estate Development and Planning
Daniel Kuhlmann, assistant professor of real estate development and urban planning, teaches courses in the undergraduate Minor and Master of Real Estate Development programs. Come next fall, he will be among the faculty members welcoming the real estate class of 2029.
Kuhlmann said students in the program will be uniquely positioned within CAPLA because of the interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum.
“Unlike traditional real estate programs that focus solely on finance or design, CAPLA’s curriculum integrates a broad spectrum of disciplines,” Kuhlmann said. “This holistic approach ensures graduates are well-equipped to handle the multifaceted challenges facing the real estate industry.”
Moreover, students will explore the “triple bottom line,” a business framework that measures a firm’s social and environmental impact alongside its financial performance, rather than solely focusing on profit.
“Integrating the ‘triple bottom line’ into our curriculum underscores our college’s unwavering commitment to teaching sustainable and equitable practices across all academic programs,” said Nancy Pollock-Ellwand, dean of the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture. “Our focus on responsible real estate concepts, combined with our faculty’s expertise in various aspects of the built environment, truly sets us apart.”
Lauri Macmillan Johnson, director of the School of Landscape Architecture and Planning, emphasized the program's potential impact on the industry and value proposition for students interested in a real estate career.
“This new program addresses the significant demand for real estate professionals in Arizona and provides an excellent entry point for students seeking a rewarding and dynamic career in a constantly evolving real estate industry,” Macmillan Johnson said.
The program will prepare students for careers across the real estate industry, including asset management, real estate development, residential and commercial real estate brokerage, corporate real estate, commercial underwriting, portfolio and property management, acquisitions, and investment banking.
