ULI Expands its Educational Offerings to Increase Real Estate Diversity

Thanks to a generous philanthropic gift in fiscal year 2020, ULI created the Foundations of Real Estate (FoRE) Certificate, which offers a comprehensive introduction to the field of commercial real estate in a high-quality conversational video format for those who are interested in a career in the industry.  

The certificate is online and on demand and includes five modules with 30 hours of content. Designed to deliver a substantive introduction to the fundamental issues and concepts in commercial real estate, each of the component modules (overview of the industry, finance and investment, commercial real estate, the pro forma, and development) covers a different aspect of the field of real estate. Complimentary course materials include ULI case studies and reports, as well as additional readings and assignments. Each module is taught by one or more esteemed university faculty and/or expert practitioners who are donating their time to share their knowledge with a wider audience. Successful completion of each module and the accompanying exam allows students to earn the Certificate in the Foundations of Commercial Real Estate. Upon completion, students will have a solid understanding of the fundamentals of commercial real estate and will be well positioned to begin a career in real estate, begin graduate work, or continue their education through other ULI courses.

ULI Learning is also committing to more directly addressing racial and social inequity in the real estate industry by developing “The History and Ethics of Real Estate” course, through the generous support of donors. The course will be a supplement to UrbanPlan and FoRE, as well as a stand-alone offering.  Featuring scholars and practitioners describing the good, the bad, and the way forward for modern development, the course will be informed by the following learning objectives: 

• Identify the ways in which modern cities were conceived of and built.  
• Recognize discriminatory practices in city development and their lasting impacts.  
• Name the major impacts of systemic racism on real estate development projects and practices.  
• Recognize and name examples of the legacy of inherently racist laws and practices.  
• Identify current policies and practices in place to create more just urban areas.   

ULI Learning is also now offering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) discounts, with the mission of increasing diversity in the commercial real estate industry, in collaboration with district council groups (such as Pathways to Inclusion) and also external groups in order to make ULI Learning courses like Foundations of Real Estate and other offerings as affordable and accessible as possible to the widest range of prospective practitioners.   

Give to the Annual Fund to help grow ULI Learning’s reach. ULI members who would like to suggest topics for new courses or to be considered to serve as an instructor for ULI Learning should submit their inquiries on Navigator.”