Want to be a developer? Enhance your real estate career trajectory?
For a wide range of real estate professionals, like engineers, architects, developers, planners, lenders, asset managers, attorneys, and others, the Costello College of Business’s Master of Science in Real Estate Development program can strengthen employment potential and upward career mobility.
David Tarter, the university’s new executive director of both the MS in Real Estate Development program and the Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship, brings a wealth of real estate experience and leadership with him. As a Northern Virginia native, he has seen the university and the region transformed by smart development.
The real estate master’s degree is perfectly situated to take advantage of these real estate learning and career advancement opportunities, according to Tarter.
“It starts with our prime location in one of the most dynamic real estate markets in the country,” he notes. George Mason is close to Washington D.C., national and international leaders, three airports, and great transit. Major corporate headquarters continue to move to the area, including Amazon, Hilton, Capital One, and Boeing. Students can take advantage of this vibrant real estate market though site visits, networking, and other hands-on opportunities.
Though other institutions in the region offer certificates and other degrees in the field, George Mason is the only university offering a real estate master’s degree. “This program is really about getting out of the classroom, meeting people, making connections in the industry, and getting real-world experience,” he says. “If you want to roll up your sleeves and build things, this is your kind of program.”
Classes are taught by real estate professionals with real-world expertise who help students develop skills, confidence, and a broader understanding of the industry at any stage of their careers.
The Center for Real Estate Entrepreneurship works closely with the MS in Real Estate Development program, serving as a bridge between academia, industry, and practice. Its board is made up of development leaders who provide support to the students through networking events, guidance, and scholarships. These executives have a great understanding of what the future of real estate looks like and how professionals can prepare for it. The real estate center itself provides advanced education, research, and career development opportunities.
Tarter joins the Costello College of Business after a long career in real estate, law, and government. He is a former five-term mayor of the city of Falls Church, Virginia, where he was instrumental in the city’s efforts to revitalize its aging downtown and promote smart growth development. While mayor, he was extensively involved in regional matters and served as chair of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and president of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. Tarter is also a commercial real estate attorney and founder of Tarter Nova Law with decades of experience in land use, development, and transactions with emphasis on transit-oriented development and smart growth projects. His passion for real estate came early, and he obtained his real estate license when he turned 18. While at university, he furthered his interest with night classes in the trades, like plumbing, electrical wiring, and carpentry. He understands the real estate industry intimately, having worked on all sides of the issues in government and on behalf of developers, property owners, and business.
For decades, David Tarter has had his finger on the pulse of the real estate industry locally and nationally, understanding the experiences and learning necessary to deal with the challenges and opportunities of the future. Students can meet with Tarter and his team to strategically select the courses to support career goals and complete the required 36 credits at their own pace. To learn from practicing industry leaders in a prime location, there is no better way to advance in real estate development than to enroll in the Costello College of Business.