Message from the Executive Director
I am delighted to announce that the Costello College of Business's Master of Science in Real Estate Development (MRED) program at George Mason University will launch a new graduate-level Certificate in Affordable Housing, recently approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). Designed for both MRED students and professionals outside the program, the certificate addresses the growing regional and national need for professionals equipped to tackle the complexities of affordable housing development, finance, and policy.
Affordable housing solutions are urgently needed, where many localities are actively seeking both staff and innovative approaches to address growing housing challenges. Communities across the nation are struggling with rising rents, limited inventory, and increasing displacement, and governments, non-profits, and private industry are responding by expanding housing programs and investing in new initiatives. Cities and counties are not only looking for policy solutions but also hiring housing specialists and community developers to implement them. This moment presents a crucial opportunity for skilled professionals and creative thinkers to help shape a more inclusive and affordable future for the region.
The certificate program will begin in early 2026 and run from January through August, and consists of three newly developed courses—Fundamentals of Affordable Housing, Affordable Housing Finance, and Affordable Housing Policy—plus one of the already existing MRED classes. These courses will provide students with a solid foundation in the key principles, financial tools, and policy considerations that influence the development and long-term success of affordable housing projects.
For those already enrolled in the MRED program, earning the certificate will be as simple as selecting the appropriate courses as part of their elective credits. This dual-purpose structure allows MRED students to graduate with both a master’s degree and a specialized credential in affordable housing.
The certificate is open not only to students currently enrolled in the MRED program, but also to professionals and non-degree-seeking students from a wide range of fields. Whether you work in urban planning, affordable housing development, public policy, architecture, community development or real estate finance, this program offers an opportunity to gain specialized, graduate-level training in a critical and growing area of need. To complete the certificate, students from outside the MRED program would complete the required affordable housing courses and also select one elective course from the MRED program’s existing curriculum, enabling them to shape their learning experience based on their interests and professional objectives.
We hope to attract students to the affordable housing certificate from the broader region and beyond and so we intend to offer the certificate courses with a virtual option (in addition to the traditional in person class experience) for those outside the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area.
The Affordable Housing Certificate responds to a timely and growing demand for talent in this area. Across the country, communities are facing increasing pressure to expand access to safe, stable, and affordable housing. By offering a rigorous, practical, and accessible certificate program, the MRED program aims to prepare professionals with the skills needed to lead innovative housing efforts and contribute to solutions that are both economically viable and socially impactful.
With housing affordability challenges increasing across communities nationwide, the demand for professionals who can develop and implement effective housing solutions has never been greater. The Affordable Housing Certificate is designed to meet this demand by preparing participants to navigate the intersection of development, finance, and policy. Students will leave the program with practical tools that can be applied directly in the field. Applications for those outside the current MRED program will open soon. For more information about the Affordable Housing Certificate, please reach out directly to me at ptarter@gmu.edu.