From archaeological sites and historic buildings to urban neighborhoods and rural landscapes, graduates of the Master of Historic Preservation program are actively engaged in the identification, protection and sustained use of a broad range of historic and cultural resources. Our graduates work in private practice, at every level of government, and in the non-profit world.
In the first year of the Master’s program, students learn about the history and theory of preservation; become familiar with the political and legal structures that guide preservation practice; and develop skills as researchers, building investigators, architectural historians, and writers. In the second year, core coursework emphasizes the application of preservation skills in planning and design. The second year is also when students prepare their Master’s projects.
Applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree prior to enrolling in the MHP program. The Department of Historic Preservation supports students with teaching and research assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships based on merit and need. Students are also encouraged to identify funding opportunities through the Graduate School’s extensive listing of internal and external fellowships and scholarships. Information about program costs may be obtained from the University Registrar.
Application GuidelinesSemester One
HP 601 Introduction to Historic Preservation 3 hours
HP 610 American Architecture I 3 hours
HP 612 Documentation of Historic Buildings and Structures I 3 hours
Elective 3 hours
Semester Two
HP 602 Historic Preservation Law 3 hours
HP 611 American Architecture II 3 hours
HP 798 Research Design 3 hours
Elective 3 hours
Semester Three
HP 614 Documentation of Historic Buildings and Structures II 3 hours
HP 617 Historic Preservation Planning 3 hours
HP 799 Masters Project I 3 hours
Elective 3 hours
Semester Four
HP 616 Historic Preservation and Design 3 hours
HP 613 Historic Structural Systems and Building Materials 3 hours
HP 799 Masters Project II 3 hours
Elective 3 hours
The online MHRA, developed in cooperation with the Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, combines historic preservation coursework with training in public and nonprofit administration. It provides mid-career heritage professionals with a pathway to advancement and leadership within their organizations. Courses in nonprofit financial management, strategic planning, and grant writing are not typically part of the educational experience of most preservation professionals, archaeologists, architectural historians, and Main Street managers, even at the graduate level. Yet these skills are essential for mid-career advancement and successful leadership of nonprofit organizations, private-sector engineering and architectural consulting firms, and government agencies. While the on-campus Master of Historic Preservation opens the door to a number of careers by providing students with a broad foundation in historic preservation history, theory, and practice, as well as technical preservation skills, the MHRA addresses the needs of mid-level professionals aspiring to leadership positions and seeking career advancement. The online format allows for maximum flexibility, increasing its appeal to working professionals. The curriculum consists of 36 credit hours (24 core, 9 electives, and a 3-hour capstone project). Because it targets working professionals, it is expected that students will take 1-2 courses per semester rather than a full load.
Application GuidelinesSemester One
HP 601 Introduction to Historic Preservation 3 hours
HP 617-201 Historic Preservation Planning 3 hours
Semester Two
HP 602-201 Historic Preservation Law 3 hours
Elective 3 hours
Semester Three
HP 675 Architectural History for Preservation Practice 3 hours
Elective 3 hours
Semester Four
HP 661 Financial Management of Nonprofit Organizations 3 hours
HP 642 Public and Nonprofit Organizational Theory and Behavior 3 hours
Semester Five
PA 602 Strategic Planning and Organizational Change 3 hours
PA 662 Nonprofit Management 3 hours
Semester Six
Elective 3 hours
PA 681 Capstone in Public Administration 3 hours
Approved Electives (Choose Two):
HP 510: Cultural Landscapes and Historic Preservation
HP 511: Sustainable Development and Heritage
HP 609: Urban Revitalization in the United States
HP 613: Historic Structural Systems and Building Materials
HP 615: American Settlement Patterns
HP 670: Rethinking Preservation: Ethics, Public Policy, and Heritage Resources
HP 672: American Roadside Architecture
HP 677: Kentucky Architecture as American Architecture
PA 631: Public Financial Management
PA 632: Public Funds Management
PA 663: Grant Planning and Management
PA 696: Legal Issues in Public Financial Management
The Department of Historic Preservation’s on-campus Graduate Certificate allows students to gain basic familiarity with historic preservation while completing studies in their primary field. Since 2014, students in Architecture and Interiors, Anthropology, History, Geography, and other fields have taken advantage of the Graduate Certificate to gain specialized skills that help them stand out in the job market. The on-campus certificate requires 12 credit hours. Two core courses — Introduction to Historic Preservation and Historic Preservation Law — are required, and are supplemented by the student’s choice of any two approved electives. Students may structure their certificate to explore areas of particular interest, such as adaptive reuse, planning, or American architectural history. Although encouraged to take classes on campus, students may also take online courses when live courses conflict with their primary coursework or if a desired Preservation class is only being offered online.
Students must apply to the historic preservation certificate program prior to completing all four courses in order to be considered for the certificate. Please contact the Historic Preservation faculty for more information.
Application GuidelinesCore Courses
HP601: Introduction to Historic Preservation
HP602: Historic Preservation Law
Approved Electives (Choose Two):
HP 510: Cultural Landscapes and Historic Preservation
HP 609: Urban Revitalization in the United States
HP 610: American Architecture I
HP 611: American Architecture II
HP 612: Documentation of Historic Buildings and Sites
HP 613: Historic Structural Systems and Building Materials
HP 614: Documentation of Historic Buildings and Sites II
HP 615: American Settlement Patterns
HP 616: Historic Preservation and Design
HP 617: Historic Preservation Planning
HP 670: Rethinking Preservation: Ethics, Public Policy, and Heritage Resources
HP 671: Cultural Resource Management
HP 675: Architectural History for Preservation Practice
HP 676: Field Methods in Historic Preservation
The Department of Historic Preservation’s 12-credit Graduate Certificate is also available in a purely online format. The online certificate provides working professionals and adult learners an opportunity to enhance existing careers and open new doors by gaining an an understanding of historic preservation. From archaeologists to engineers, agency employees to private practitioners, online certificate students come from a range of backgrounds and bring a great deal of practical and professional experience to the program.
The online program was designed with flexibility in mind, allowing students to complete their work at the time of day and week that best suits their schedule. The course content is delivered using the Canvas Learning Management System, and all courses are taught by faculty in the Department of Historic Preservation. Courses typically include short videos or lectures, readings, podcasts, and assignments. Additionally, course discussions create a community of learning where students interact with and learn from their professors and peers.
A Bachelor’s degree is required prior to admission to the University of Kentucky Graduate School. Admission to the online Graduate Certificate does not require GRE scores. Online certificate students pay the same tuition rate as in-state, part-time graduate students regardless of residence. Additional information about tuition may be found on the University Registrar’s page. Please contact the Historic Preservation faculty for more information.
Application GuidelinesCore Courses:
HP 601: Introduction to Historic Preservation
HP 602: Historic Preservation Law
Approved Electives (Choose Two):
HP 510: Cultural Landscapes and Historic Preservation
HP 511: Sustainable Development and Heritage
HP 609: Urban Revitalization in the United States
HP 613: Historic Structural Systems and Building Materials
HP 615: American Settlement Patterns
HP 617: Historic Preservation Planning
HP 670: Rethinking Preservation
HP 671: Introduction to Cultural Resource Management
HP 675: Architectural History for Preservation Practice
The Department of Historic Preservation’s 12-credit-hour undergraduate certificate program introduces the history and theory of historic preservation while allowing students to explore specialized areas of practice. Students learn how culture influences human connections to place and the role revitalization plays in community planning and economic development. A wide range of electives allows students to connect basic preservation principles with studies in their major and minor fields. Aimed at developing broad knowledge, the certificate is intended to prepare students for life in a globalized society and decisions they will face in their professional and private lives.
Students may apply to the certificate program after completing HP 101: Introduction to Historic Preservation. As a 100-level course, HP 101 does not qualify for certificate credit; however, HP 101 counts toward the UK Core requirement for Intellectual Inquiry in the Social Sciences.
Students then take HP 252, two electives, and HP 300. Students are advised to take HP 300 as their final course or in the same semester as their final elective(s). An exit exam will be administered in HP 300. Students must earn a C or higher to complete the certificate. Students will be allowed to retake the exam if needed. Post-baccalaureate and non-degree-seeking students will be admitted upon submitting a statement of 1,000 words or less explaining the reasons for their interest in pursuing the certificate.
Application GuidelinesPrerequisite:
HP 101: Historic Preservation: How the Past Informs the Future
Core Courses:
HP 252: Adaptive Reuse and Treatments for Historic Buildings
HP 300: Sustainability and the Built World
Approved Electives (Choose Two):
ANT 342: North American Archaeology
ANT 545: Historical Archaeology
ARC 511: History and Theory Seminar: Pre-20th Century
ARC 512: History and Theory Seminar: Modern
ARC 513: History and Theory Seminar: Contemporary
ARC 514: History and Theory Seminar: Theory and Criticism
ARC 515: History and Theory Seminar: Urban Forms
ARC 584: Design of Timber and Masonry Structures
ENS 201: Environmental and Sustainability Studies I: Humanities and Social Sciences
GEO 220: U.S. Cities
GEO 235: Environmental Management and Policy
GEO 285: Introduction to Planning
GEO 485G: Urban Planning and Sustainability
GEO 490G: American Landscapes
HIS 240: History of Kentucky
HIS 260/AAS 260: African American History to 1865
HIS 261/AAS 261: African American History 1865-present
HP 352: Kentucky Architecture and Landscapes
ID 283: The American House and its Furnishings
LA 205: History of Landscape Architecture
LA 307: Cultural Landscape Preservation
