Master of Real Estate Development
MRED program features
Our interdisciplinary program is a collaboration with Iowa State University’s nationally ranked College of Design and features:
- Mentoring and networking opportunities with our MRED Executive Advisory Council.
- Online courses and on-campus residencies.
- Capstone project driven by your interests.
- Continuing education credits accepted by the Iowa Real Estate Commission.
I appreciate how the MRED program connects students with each other and with local industry experts. This allowed me to network and learn from others’ experiences, ideas, perspectives, and real-world examples.
They say, “It’s not what you know, but who.”
As a student in the Ivy MRED program, you will be connected to some of the best in the real estate industry through our mentoring program. As part of your first on-campus residency, MRED students will rub elbows with the members of the MRED Executive Advisory Council — a group of talented professionals from some of the Midwest’s most respected companies. Students will then be assigned a mentor who will coach them as they go through the program.
This opportunity will accelerate your career as you take advantage of the benefits of having a mentor, including:
- Guidance on professional development and advancement.
- Increased visibility and recognition.
- The opportunity to learn from the experiences of others.
- Exposure to new ideas and ways of thinking.
- The opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge.
Here’s what one of our students has to say about his mentoring experience
Phil Cowan
Investment Analyst, LCS Real Estate
Ankeny, Iowa
Master of real estate development student and real estate investment analyst, Phil Cowan, had never had a mentor before. When he heard about the MRED mentoring program, he started making plans.
“The list of potential mentors was really impressive,” said Cowan. “The list includes the industry leaders in Des Moines. All the big companies are represented.”
With all the options, Cowan hoped architect James Spiller would be a good fit. Spiller’s interaction in the design world was the perfect supplement to Cowan’s finance experience.
“James fit the bill,” Cowan said. “He was my top choice, so I was really happy that I got paired up with him.”
Since this was his first mentoring experience, Cowan didn’t really know what to expect.
“I remember sitting down and within three minutes he asked me what I wanted to do long term,” Cowan said. “I shared my dream about starting my own company someday, and he didn’t even blink. Instead, he started talking about what it will take to get there. It was really cool not to get a skeptical response. James told me, ‘I’ll do whatever I can do to help you reach your goals and answer your questions along the way.’ It’s been a really cool process.”
But Cowan knows a mentoring program is bigger than one relationship — it’s a network.
“It’s on me to determine what I want out of this. James is willing to help with anything. He’s been really quick to point out that there are a lot people who are potential mentors in this program. Just because the other Executive Advisory Council members aren’t assigned to me, doesn’t mean I can’t reach out to them. This program is a great way to make connections and ask questions.”
