Overview
The Residential Real Estate Certificate program empowers UW undergraduates with the knowledge and practical skills needed to navigate homeownership, one of the most significant wealth-building opportunities in the United States. Designed for students from all majors, the program builds foundational financial literacy, introduces the homebuying process, and examines how housing markets influence economic mobility and access to opportunity. Through applied coursework, industry engagement, and exposure to career pathways in residential real estate and the built environment, students gain the confidence to make informed housing decisions and explore professional opportunities they may not have previously considered.
Informational Session Presentation Recording (link to the Info Session recording will be provided soon).
Who should apply?
The Residential Real Estate Certificate is designed for UW undergraduate students from all majors who want to better understand how housing, finance, and the built environment shape economic opportunity. The program is especially suited for students seeking practical financial skills, greater transparency around the homebuying process, and early exposure to career paths connected to residential real estate and the built environment. Students from a wide range of academic backgrounds and lived experiences are encouraged to apply, including those who may not have had prior access to real estate knowledge or professional networks.
Purpose
The purpose of the Residential Real Estate Certificate is to:
- Build foundational financial literacy and knowledge of homeownership;
- Provide students with practical knowledge of the homebuying and transaction processes;
- Examine how housing markets influence economic mobility and access to opportunity;
- Broaden access to residential real estate knowledge and professional networks; and
- Introduce students to career pathways in residential real estate and the built environment.
Learning Objectives
The learning objectives are to:
- Understand the fundamental concepts and processes involved in homeownership and the homebuying process;
- Develop foundational knowledge of mortgages, housing finance, and affordability;
- Understand the legal, contractual, and transactional components of purchasing real estate;
- Explore how housing markets, policies, and financial systems influence housing outcomes;
- Apply knowledge through practical coursework and industry engagement to support informed decision-making.
Eligibility and Admissions
All undergraduate students currently enrolled at the University of Washington are eligible to participate, regardless of major, as long as they are in good standing with the University and after completing RE 101: Introduction to the Home Buying Process with a minimum grade of 3.0. First-year students are welcome. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
The certificate may be completed within one academic year or spread across several years, allowing students to incorporate the coursework into their existing academic plans.
Curriculum (12 credits)
Foundational Homebuying Course:
RE 101: Introduction to the Home Buying Process (5 credits)
Introduces the homebuying process, including mortgage fundamentals, legal interests in real estate, the transaction process, and navigating homeownership after purchasing a property. Offered Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters.
Industry Exposure and Career Pathways:
Students complete ONE of the following courses:
BE 200: Introduction to Built Environments (3 credits)
Introduces critical issues related to the planning, design, construction, and use of the built environment and the roles of the various disciplines within the College of Built Environments. Offered Autumn quarter.
RE 250: Introduction to Real Estate (3 credits)
Introduces the real estate profession, focusing on industry participants, processes, and real estate decision-making by buyers and sellers. Offered Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters.
RE 463: Housing Markets and Policy (3 credits)
Provides students with tools to understand housing markets, policies supporting housing production, and remaining market frictions. Emphasizes the relationship between housing finance systems and housing market outcomes, with a focus on the U.S. mortgage system and products. Offered Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters.
Transaction Mechanics and Practice:
RE 361: Property Transactions (3 credits)
Introduces real estate transactions, standard contractual documents, the role of title insurance, and the closing process. Offered Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters.
Industry-Engaged Capstone:
BE 498: Special Projects (1 credit) – Residential Real Estate Certificate Capstone
Provides students with direct engagement with residential real estate professionals to understand how the sector operates in practice. Students participate in a range of activities and engage with different practitioners throughout the year. The course may be repeated for credit up to three times. Prerequisite: RE 101 and acceptance into the certificate program. Offered Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters.
Application and Admissions
All UW undergraduates are eligible to apply after completing RE 101: Introduction to the Home Buying Process with a minimum grade of 3.0 and that are in good standing with the University. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. First-year students are welcome to apply.
Apply Now – Residential Real Estate Certificate
Certificate Completion
At the end of the academic year, students who successfully complete the program will be recognized at a certificate celebration. Participants will receive a digital program badge recognizing their learning and industry-focused experience.
Digital badges are non-credit credentials designed to complement traditional academic transcripts and resumes. They highlight demonstrated competencies, recognize learning gained through hands-on experience, and signal completion of industry-specific training and tools.
Contact
Residential Real Estate Certificate Program Coordator: cbe-recert@uw.edu