The Runstad Department of Real Estate was established in 2017. Today, the department serves as a hub for thought leadership in real estate in Seattle, the Pacific Northwest and globally through a broad range of academic, research, and industry-focused initiatives.
The Runstad Department of Real Estate supports students pursuing the undergraduate major and minor in real estate, as well as the Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE) program, by providing extensive academic, professional, and career development opportunities. The department also brings together UW faculty, industry leaders, alumni, and students through events, applied research, and collaborative educational and professional programs that connect the university with the broader real estate community.
The Runstad Department of Real Estate traces its roots back to the early 1990s, when the Center for Community Development and Real Estate at the University of Washington launched a multi-year effort to expand the breadth, depth, and quality of its real estate program. That initiative led to the creation of the Runstad Center for Real Estate Studies in 2000, officially established in 2002 as a major step forward in advancing real estate education and research at the university. The establishment of the Runstad Center laid the groundwork for continued growth and innovation in real estate education and research that ultimately led to the creation of the department.