The blueprint for your future in the real estate industry.
Designed for emerging professionals, the Masters in Real Estate is a 2-year, STEM-designated real estate degree designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of all facets of the industry.
SC Johnson College of Business and the College of Art, Architecture, & Planning.
Curriculum
The program requires a total of 62 credit hours, consisting of 33.5 credit hours of required core coursework and 28.5 credits of additional electives relevant to your specific interest in real estate.
Students have the option to complete all 4 semesters os the program in Ithaca, NY, or transition to NYC for an immersive second-year experience.
Full details and course listings for the MMH program are available via the Cornell course catalog.
Application dates & deadlines
Applications open in September, with four deadlines to consider before submitting your application. Early submission of applications is encouraged for priority admissions and merit scholarship consideration.
Round 1
December 1
Round 2
January 15
Round 3
March 1
Round 4
April 15
Application checklist
Transcript
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Submit unofficial transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. If admitted, you will be required to provide official transcripts for verification.
Transcripts must include:
All completed courses
Grades for each course
Degree earned and date conferred
Important notes:
Redact or cover your Social Security Number before submission.
If your transcript is not in English, include a certified English translation along with the original.
Applicants with non-U.S. degrees must have a recognized equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree. If your credentials differ in title or duration, consider submitting a credential evaluation (e.g., through World Education Services).
Admitted students must submit official transcripts before enrollment.
GMAT/GRE score report
The MPS-RE program requires a GMAT or GRE score, though there is no minimum score requirement. Scores are valid for five years, and the highest score will be considered if multiple exams were taken. The program accepts the GRE General Test at Home, GMAT Online, and GMAT Focus.
GMAT scores should be sent via mba.com using code 5811; GRE scores should be sent through ETS using Cornell code 2098. Unofficial scores may be used for review, but official scores are required before enrollment.
Applicants may request a GMAT/GRE waiver through the application if they can demonstrate strong quantitative ability through academics or work experience. Waiver decisions are sent within seven business days, and approved applicants are not disadvantaged in admissions review.
Two letters of recommendation
Submission of two letters of recommendation is required:
One from a current or recent supervisor who can attest to your work-related skills.
The second may be from either an academic or professional source.
Statement of purpose
Please use the academic statement of purpose to describe, within 500 words:
Your academic interests,
Your academic background, preparation, and training, including any relevant professional experiences,
Your reasons for pursuing graduate studies in this specific program, and
Your professional goals.
Personal statement
Please describe (within 300-500 words) how your background and experiences influenced your decision and ability to pursue a graduate degree. For additional suggestions on how to write a personal statement, please see the Graduate School’s website.
Resume or CV
Please submit a resume or CV with your application. While not required, experience and demonstrated interest in the industry can strengthen your application and support success in the program.
Video interview
After submitting your application, you will be sent an email invitation to complete a video interview, where you will be asked to give short verbal responses to pre-recorded questions.
Note, the invitation to the video interview will be sent automatically after submitting your application. Please monitor your inbox carefully. We advise that you use the most up-to-date version of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge to complete the video interview.
Application fee
A non-refundable application fee of $105 is required. Payment must be made through the online application using either an e-check in U.S. dollars drawn on a U.S. bank, or a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover credit card. The application fee will be waived for:
Current or former United States military members
Cornell students and recent alumni (graduates within two years of application date).
Contact gradadmissions@business.cornell.edu for a fee waiver code prior to submitting your application if eligible.
International applicants
International applicants must submit official TOEFL, IELTS Academic, or Duolingo English Test scores sent directly from the testing agency. Since all MPS-RE courses are taught in English and involve discussion, group work, and intensive reading and writing, applicants must demonstrate strong spoken and written English skills. TOEFL “My Best Score” reports are not accepted, and applicants must meet Cornell Graduate School minimum sub-scores.
Test scores must be from within two years of the application deadline. Duolingo scores should be sent to the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.
In some cases, English test requirements may be waived. Additional details on score minimums, submission procedures, and waiver criteria are available on the Graduate School website.
Dual degree candidates
Dual-degree applicants must apply separately to the Baker Program (MPS-RE) and Cornell AAP (MRP), as admissions decisions and application requirements are managed independently.
To enroll, applicants must:
Meet all deadlines and admissions requirements for both programs
Accept admission offers and submit deposits to both programs
Send required GMAT, transcripts, and TOEFL scores (if applicable) to each program
Applicants must declare dual-degree interest in their initial Baker Program application. Those not admitted to the dual-degree track must complete the MPS-RE before pursuing another Cornell degree. Current MRP students may apply to the Baker Program and join the dual-degree program if admitted.
Master’s in Real Estate Admissions FAQs
Can my undergraduate degree be in any major?
Yes, your undergraduate degree can be in any field, provided you excelled in your studies. Students who majored in business at the undergraduate level may also be strong for the Real Estate program if they are seeking to change their undergraduate specialization.
Is there a minimum GPA or test score required for admission into the program?
No. There is no minimum GPA required for admission to the MPS Real Estate program; however, we expect applicants to demonstrate their potential to excel in our rigorous academic environment. The average undergraduate GPA for admitted students in other Johnson School programs is about 3.4.
Am I required to complete my 2nd year of the program in NYC?
While the 2nd year in NYC is encouraged for students looking to immersive themselves in the NYC market or similar areas upon graduation, the entirety of the program can be completed on the Ithaca campus.
Is the GMAT or GRE required?
All applicants are required to submit either the GMAT or GRE taken in the last 5 years.
Is student visa assistance offered for international student?
What are the minimum scores accepted on TOEFL/IELTS exams?
The Cornell University Graduate School has minimum requirements for English Language Proficiency. The Admissions Committee for the MPS in Real Estate believes it is essential that applicants have fluency in the English language to be successful.
The MPS in Real Estate also accepts the Duolingo English Test. We require an overall score of 130 or higher on the Duolingo English Test.
Ready to apply?
Is a Master’s in Real Estate degree from Cornell the right next step for your career? We encourage you to start your application today.
The first step is to register or log in to the Cornell Graduate Admissions website. Select “Real Estate, M.P.S.” as the field. On the Educational History, concentration page, then follow the instructions for applying to the program.
The Rubacha Department of Real Estate is a cross-college department jointly led by the College of Architecture, Art and Planning and the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.