The Department of Historic Preservation prepares students for successful careers in historic preservation and related field through rigorous study of preservation practice and theory, and critical investigation of cultural and natural heritage at all scales. The department offers an interdisciplinary environment that encourages independent thinking, original research, and exploration of current issues in preservation practice. The resources of a major research university and well-developed professional and community networks provide extensive opportunities for applied learning and theoretical inquiry. Further, faculty strengths in preservation design, community planning, landscape studies, sustainability, and social justice offer diverse options for research and activism. The department is strongly committed to human-centered forms of preservation and views the care and stewardship of historic environments as vital to creating a just and sustainable world.
College of Design Department of Historic Preservation
Graduate Degrees
Master of Historic Preservation
Historic preservation is an interdisciplinary field of study concerned with the care, use, and interpretation of historic buildings, sites, and landscapes. The Master of Historic Preservation (MHP) is a comprehensive graduate curriculum designed to prepare students for careers in preservation. Graduates have attained an outstanding record of placement and career advancement.
Masters in Heritage Resources Administration (online)
The online Master of Heritage in Resources Administration (MHRA), developed in cooperation with the Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, combines historic preservation coursework with training in public and nonprofit administration, providing mid-career heritage professionals with a pathway to advancement and leadership within their organizations.
Graduate Certificates
Historic Preservation
The on-campus graduate certificate introduces students in fields such architecture, interior design, history, and geography to the theory and practice of historic preservation. This 12-credit-hour program is designed to supplement graduate studies in a closely related discipline. By introducing fundamental principles and skills.
Historic Preservation (online)
The online graduate certificate is a 12-credit-hour program of study designed for working professionals and others who are unable to take in-person courses. Like the on-campus certificate, it is designed to introduce core principles and concepts for the purpose of expanding the knowledge and abilities of persons working in related fields.
Undergraduate Certificate
Historic Preservation
How does any place become “historic?” And what does that mean? This 12-credit-hour program introduces the history and theory of historic preservation while allowing students to explore specialized areas of practice. Students will explore how culture influences human connections to place and the role revitalization plays in community planning and economic development.
