The primary goal of the undergraduate real estate major is to comprehensively underwrite commercial real estate, which is broad-based and follows the education thought leadership of James A. Graaskamp, who expressed that “Real estate should be taught as a process of dynamic interactions rather than functional and historical facts.” Underwriting commercial real estate includes the analysis of all property types and the development of residential communities while assessing and managing risk in all aspects of real estate relative to finance, development, valuation, and market analysis. To effectively underwrite commercial real estate, students must be able to identify and synthesize technical or basic skills, conceptual knowledge, and critical thinking skills, and understand the real estate landscape to make informed and thoughtful property decisions. Graduates of the real estate major secure employment in a wide range of positions and responsibilities including real estate private equity investment, commercial real estate lending and valuation, and real estate development, among many other areas including asset/property management, and investment sales and brokerage.
Recognition
Our real estate program is ranked 1st in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report 2025.
Related Organizations
Real Estate Club
Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association
Women in Real Estate
Real Estate Private Equity Club
How to Get in
Current UW–Madison Students
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | Application required. Meeting the requirements listed below does not guarantee admission. (https://admissions.wsb.wisc.edu/BbaPreBusiness) |
| Courses required to get in | Students are required to complete each of the 4 requirements below. Requirements can be completed via coursework, test credit, transfer work, or placement exam (if applicable). Communication A Quantitative Reasoning A Economics Human Behavior |
| GPA requirements to get in | Minimum 3.0 UW-Madison GPA. |
| Credits required to get in |
|
| Other |
|
| Semester | Deadline to apply | Decision notification timeline |
|---|---|---|
| To apply for a fall start | Mid March | On or before July 1st. |
| To apply for a spring start | This program does not accept applications to start in the spring. | |
| To apply for a summer start | This program does not accept applications to start in the summer. |
Prospective First-Year Applicants
All prospective UW–Madison students must apply through the central Office of Admissions and Recruitment. Prospective high school students may be considered for direct admission to Business based on their application to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Simply list a Business interest as your top academic area of interest on the University application.
Prospective Transfer Applicants
Transfer students at University of Wisconsin System campuses or Wisconsin Technical Colleges may apply separately for admission to both the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the School of Business during the spring term for fall enrollment. Information for prospective transfer students can be found here: https://business.wisc.edu/undergraduate/admissions/transfer-students/.
Additional Information
Students declared in Business: Real Estate and Urban Land Economics cannot earn the Summer Certificate in Business Fundamentals, Certificate in Business, or the Certificate in Entrepreneurship due to curriculum overlap.
University Requirements
All undergraduate students must complete both the following Core General Education (Core GenEd) and University Degree and Quality of Work requirements. The requirements below apply to students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution is Summer 2026 or later.
Students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution occurred before Summer 2026 should refer to the archived Guide for the requirements that apply to them.
Core General Education (Core GenEd) Requirements
| Civics & Perspectives | 3 credits of Civics & Perspectives coursework. |
| Communication & Literacy | 6 credits of Communication & Literacy coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingenglishplacement |
| Humanities & Arts | 6 credits of Humanities & Arts coursework. |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning | 6 credits of Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingmathplacement |
| Natural Science & Wellness | Complete both:
|
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 credits of Social & Behavioral Science coursework. |
| Total Credits | 30 credits. |
For more information see the policy.
University Degree and Quality of Work Requirements
All undergraduate degree recipients must complete the following minimum requirements. Requirements for some programs will exceed these requirements; see program requirements for additional information.
| Total Degree | 120 degree credits. |
| Residency | Complete 30 credits in residence. A course is considered “in residence” if it is taken when in undergraduate degree-seeking status and:
|
| Quality of Work | Achieve at least the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, and/or academic program. |
| Math | Demonstrate minimal mathematics competence by: |
| English Language | If required to take the UW-Madison English as a Second Language Assessment Test (MSN-ESLAT), demonstrate minimal English language competence by:
|
| Language | Complete one:
|
| Major Declaration | Declare and complete the requirements for at least one major. |
School of Business BBA Requirements
The Wisconsin Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program combines UW–Madison’s core general education requirements, broad coverage of core business disciplines, and cutting-edge experiential learning and signature courses to create a strong academic foundation upon which students delve deeply into their majors.
Business Liberal Studies
Liberal studies requirements must be completed prior to graduation. A single course cannot be used to fulfill multiple liberal studies requirements.
| Communications A | Complete either:
|
| Microeconomics | Complete one: |
| Macroeconomics | Complete either: |
| Social Science | One 3+ credit course with the Social Science designation. Courses in or cross-listed with the following subjects do not satisfy this requirement: ACCT I S, ACT SCI, FINANCE, GEN BUS, INFO SYS, INTL BUS, M H R, MARKETNG, OTM, R M I, REAL EST. |
| Calculus | Complete either: |
| Literature | One 3+ credit course with the Literature designation. |
| Science | 6 credits with the Biological, Natural, or Physical Science designations. Courses in or cross-listed with MATH or STAT cannot be used to meet this requirement. |
| Ethnic Studies | One 3+ credit course with the Ethnic Studies designation. |
| Humanities | One 3+ credit course with the Humanities designation. |
| Ethics | Complete one: |
Business Fundamentals
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEN BUS 106 | Foundational Skills for Business Analysis | 1 |
| GEN BUS 107 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence in Business | 1 |
| GEN BUS 301 | Business Law | 3 |
| GEN BUS 360 | Workplace Writing and Communication | 3 |
| ACCT I S 100 | Introductory Financial Accounting | 3 |
Business Analytics Sequence
Complete one of the sequence options below. Courses should be taken in subsequent semesters.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Option 1 | ||
| GEN BUS 306 & GEN BUS 307 | Business Analytics I and Business Analytics II | 6 |
| Option 2 (Required for Actuarial Science Majors): | ||
| MATH 331 | Introductory Probability | 3 |
| or STAT/MATH 309 | Introduction to Probability and Mathematical Statistics I | |
| GEN BUS 317 | Mathematical Foundations of Business Analytics (Recommended for Actuarial Science majors) | 3 |
| or STAT/MATH 310 | Introduction to Probability and Mathematical Statistics II | |
| Option 3 (Recommended for Economics Double Majors or Econ Certificate Students): | ||
| ECON 310 | Statistics: Measurement in Economics | 4 |
| ECON 400 | Introduction to Applied Econometrics | 4 |
| or ECON 410 | Introductory Econometrics | |
Business Core
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ACCT I S 211 | Introductory Managerial Accounting | 3 |
| FINANCE/ECON 300 | Introduction to Finance | 3 |
| MARKETNG 300 | Marketing Management | 3 |
| M H R 300 | Managing Organizations | 3 |
| OTM 300 | Operations and Supply Chain Management | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Business Experiential Learning
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| GEN BUS 110 | Personal and Professional Foundations in Business | 1 |
| GEN BUS 210 | Artificial Intelligence Enabled Business Solutions Lab | 2 |
| GEN BUS 410 | Business Solutions Capstone | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Business Signature
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Databases | ||
| International Business | ||
| The Real Estate Process | ||
| Principles of Risk Management | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 2 | |
| Human-centered Design and Business | ||
| Sustainable Capitalism | ||
| The Business of Health Care | ||
| Cloud Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Tools for Business | ||
| Total Credits | 5 | |
Business Graduation Requirements
| Cumulative Credits | Students must earn 120 degree credits. |
| Quality of Work | Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000. |
| Residency | Students must complete 30 degree credits in residence at UW–Madison. |
Business: Real Estate and Urban Land Economics Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| REAL EST/A A E/ECON/URB R PL 306 | The Real Estate Process | 3 |
| REAL EST 410 | Real Estate Finance | 3 |
| REAL EST 411 | Real Estate Excel Modeling | 1 |
| REAL EST 412 | Real Estate ARGUS Modeling | 1 |
| REAL EST 415 | Valuation of Real Estate | 3 |
| REAL EST/ECON/URB R PL 420 | Urban and Regional Economics | 3 |
| REAL EST 425 | Real Estate Law | 3 |
| REAL EST 530 | Real Estate Investment Analysis | 3 |
| Total Credits | 20 | |
Additional Courses
Undergraduate students are encouraged to take additional electives from among the following real estate courses. Electives are typically not offered every semester.
Real Estate Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| REAL EST 365 | Contemporary Topics 1 | 3 |
| REAL EST/A A E/URB R PL 520 | Community Economic Analysis | 3 |
| REAL EST 540 | Public Real Estate Equity Investment | 3 |
| REAL EST 550 | Private Real Estate Equity Investment I: Analysis and Structures | 3 |
| REAL EST 611 | Residential Property Development | 3 |
| REAL EST 640 | Real Estate Capital Markets | 3 |
| REAL EST 651 | Green - Sustainable Development | 3 |
| REAL EST 661 | Real Estate Investment Analysis and Presentation | 3 |
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The real estate department regularly offers innovative and cutting-edge electives under REAL EST 365 Contemporary Topics. Students should check the Course Guide every semester.
Recommended Non-Business Electives
Electives may also be selected outside the business-economics core from among a number of courses elsewhere in the university, which will provide greater professional awareness and more specialized tools.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENVIR ST/SOIL SCI 575 | Assessment of Environmental Impact | 3 |
| LAND ARC 250 | Survey of Landscape Architecture Design | 3 |
| LAND ARC 561 | Housing and Urban Design | 4 |
| LAND ARC 562 | Urban Design and Open Space Systems | 4 |
| SOIL SCI 301 | General Soil Science | 3 |
| CIV ENGR 498 | 3 | |
| CIV ENGR 340 | Structural Analysis I | 3 |
| GEOG/CIV ENGR/ENVIR ST 377 | An Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | 4 |
| URB R PL/GEOG 305 | Introduction to the City | 3-4 |
| URB R PL/LAND ARC 463 | Evolution of American Planning | 3 |
| URB R PL 601 | Site Planning | 3 |
Learning Outcomes
- Assemble and analyze market, linkage, and economic data to make prudent investment decisions.
- Identify debt and equity capital sources that meet investor risk/return parameters for development, acquisitions, debt and value-add investment opportunities.
- Responsibly and ethically consider investor, tenant, community, and municipal needs in the development process.
- Create value in the built environment through developments that are built to scale, affordable, and sustainable.
- Communicate the merits of real estate projects to investors, community stakeholders, and municipal/publicly elected officials.
- Provide a network of professionals with cutting-edge perspectives and employment opportunities.
Four-Year Plan
This is a sample four-year plan for students directly admitted into the School of Business from high school. We encourage all students to consult with their academic advisor to develop an individualized plan that meets their specific needs.
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ECON 101 or 111 | 4 | MATH 211 or 221 | 4-5 |
| Communications A | 3 | PSYCH 202, SOC 211, ANTHRO 104, GEN&WS 102, or HDFS 263 (Human Behavior) | 3-4 |
| Ethnic Studies | 3 | ACCT I S 100 | 3 |
| Science | 3 | Science | 3 |
| GEN BUS 106 | 1 | Humanities | 3 |
| GEN BUS 110 | 1 | ||
| 15 | 16-18 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| REAL EST/A A E/ECON/URB R PL 306 | 3 | REAL EST 410 | 3 |
| GEN BUS 306 | 3 | FINANCE/ECON 300 | 3 |
| ECON 102 or 111 | 4 | GEN BUS 307 | 3 |
| ACCT I S 211 | 3 | GEN BUS 360 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | GEN BUS/DS 240, 250, or 308 (Take One) | 2 |
| 16 | 14 | ||
| Junior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| REAL EST 411 | 1 | REAL EST/ECON/URB R PL 420 | 3 |
| REAL EST 412 | 1 | PHILOS 241, 243, 341, or 441 (Ethics) | 3-4 |
| REAL EST 415 | 3 | MARKETNG 300 | 3 |
| GEN BUS 250, 240, or 308 (Take One) | 2 | M H R 300 | 3 |
| OTM 300 | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 4 | ||
| 14 | 15-16 | ||
| Senior | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| REAL EST 425 | 3 | REAL EST 530 | 3 |
| GEN BUS 400 | 3 | GEN BUS 301 | 3 |
| Literature | 3 | R M I 300, REAL EST 306, INTL BUS 200, or INFO SYS 3221 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120-123 | |||
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This requirement is satisfied through the Real Estate major requirements.
Advising and Careers
Advising
Advising is an integral part of any student’s educational journey in the School of Business Undergraduate Program. Starting at Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR), we encourage all students to connect with academic advisors. Business academic advisors have a wealth of knowledge about courses on campus, as well as policies and procedures.
Business career coaches help students with career exploration, internships, resumes, job search, interviewing, and more. We encourage students to connect with their career coach once they arrive on campus.
Business academic advisors and career coaches are passionate about student success. Students experiencing academic difficulty or personal struggles are encouraged to talk to their advisor about how their individual situation may affect their academic performance.
Assigned Academic and Career Coaches
Admitted business students will have one assigned academic advisor. Career coaches are assigned by academic major to be able to provide industry-specific career guidance. If a student has more than one major, they may have more than one assigned career coach. Students can find their assigned advisor and coach by logging into the Starfish portal through MyUW.
For students not yet admitted to the School of Business, there is a team of pre-business advisors available.
Accessing Advising
Drop-in advising and scheduled appointments are available for admitted business students. Pre-business students may also schedule an appointment with a pre-business academic advisor or utilize drop-in academic advising.
For more information on accessing academic advising, please see our Academic Advising page.
For more information on accessing career coaching, please see our Career Coaching page.
Careers
Real estate as a career encompasses a wide range of activities—from development and construction to financing; from brokerage and leasing to property management; from appraisal and assessment to insurance and regulation; from research to urban planning, government affairs, and more. Job responsibilities vary by function and can be office-based or in the field. Qualifications also vary from licensing and certification to advanced degrees.
Please visit our website to learn more about careers in real estate.
More information on Career Pathways.
Accreditation
AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
Accreditation status: Accredited. Next accreditation review: 2026–2027.