Through 11 weeks (60 hours) of intensive instructional modules, independent work and project-based learning delivered on Drexel’s main campus in West Philadelphia, learners will gain essential knowledge and experiential best practices about real estate development projects, with an emphasis on New Construction projects.
Meeting every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the NextGen Developers Certificate Program follows the full life cycle of a ground-up development — from identifying and acquiring a site through design, financing, construction and final sale or disposition. Weekly classroom sessions combine focused, lecture-style instruction with real-world insights from guest subject-matter experts actively working in the industry.
Designed for aspiring real estate developers and more experienced developers looking to take their portfolio to the next level, this program provides a structured framework for understanding how successful projects are conceived, executed, and delivered the competitive and complex urban market.
In-person instructional module topics, dates and Final Capstone Project.
- Week 1 – March 7, 2026:
Program Overview, Introductions, Project Requirements
- Week 2 – March 14, 2026:
Site Selection and Acquisition
- Week 3 – March 21, 2026:
Zoning, Entitlements and Land Use
- Week 4 – March 28, 2026:
Architectural Design and Programming
- Week 5 – April 4, 2026:
The Pre-Construction Phase
- Week 6 – April 11, 2026:
Project Financing and Capital Stack
- Week 7 – April 18, 2026:
Groundbreaking and Site Work
- Week 8 – April 25, 2026:
Vertical Construction (The Shell)
- Week 9 – May 2, 2026:
MEP and Interior Finishes
- Week 10 – May 9, 2026:
Closeout and Punch List
- Week 11 – May 16, 2026:
Marketing, Sale and Disposition