Historic Preservation

Overview

Historic preservation programs cover historic construction methods and designs. They include ways to restore and preserve original features of different structures and sites.

Historic preservation includes study in several topics, such as:

• Architecture
• Conservation
• Construction technology
• Historical design
• Art history
• Museum studies
• Park management
• Public policy

Internships

Internships allow students to develop skills at companies or organizations. Most historic preservation programs require that students complete projects and internships.

Schools

Almost all historic preservation programs are offered at the graduate level. A few schools offer bachelor's degrees.

Many colleges and universities offer historic preservation programs, usually in the graduate schools of architecture or environmental design. A master's degree requires two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. One-year graduate certificate programs are also available for students who already have a bachelor's degree in architecture or regional planning. A doctoral (PhD) degree program requires two or more years of study beyond a master's degree.

See schools that offer this program.

Related Educational Programs

• Anthropology
• Archeology
• Architecture
• Art History
• Construction Inspection
• Environmental Design
• History
• Interior Design
• Landscape Architecture
• Museum Studies

Related Careers

Careers Directly Related to this Program of Study

• Archivists
• Historians

Other Careers Related to this Program of Study

• Curators
• Museum Technicians and Conservators
• Urban and Regional Planners

Program Admission

You can prepare for this program by taking courses in high school that prepare you for college. This typically includes four years of English, three years of math, three years of social studies, and two years of science. Some colleges also require two years of a second language.

Admission to a four-year college does not guarantee admission to its undergraduate historic preservation program. You usually apply to this program after your second year of college and need to fulfill the following requirements:

• Good grades
• Demonstrated research and writing skills
• Personal interview
• Statement of goals

Below is a list of high school courses that will help prepare you for this program of study:

• Algebra
• Blueprint Reading
• CAD Design and Software
• Computer Graphics
• Construction
• Drafting
• Geometry
• Physics

Graduate Admissions

Admission to graduate programs is competitive. You need a bachelor's degree and good grades. You also need to submit letters of recommendation and a personal statement.

Your bachelor's degree does not have to be in any particular field. However, you should major in or take courses in a field that shows you interest in historic preservation. Such fields might include:

• Architecture
• Art History
• Environmental Design
• History
• Urban Studies

Additional requirements at many schools include:

• Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General
• Academic writing sample
• Personal interview
• Related work or volunteer experience

Typical Course Work

Program Courses

In this undergraduate program, you typically take courses such as the following:

• Anthropology
• Archives and Society
• Art History
• Conservation Materials
• Documentation and Registration of Historic Properties
• Economics of Historic Preservation
• Fundamentals of Drawing
• Historic Gardens
• Historic Preservation Technology
• Historical Archeology
• History and Theory of Historic Preservation
• History of North American Architecture
• History of Furniture and Architectural Styles
• Laws, Taxes, and Zoning for Historic Preservation
• Managing Historic Sites
• Record Keeping and Report Writing
• Restoration Clinics
• Tools and Evolution of Preservation

Graduate Program Courses

Course work in graduate programs tends to vary. However, the outline of a typical graduate curriculum looks like the following:

• Required core courses
• Comprehensive oral and written exams (doctoral degree only)
• Thesis and thesis defense (master's degree only)
• Dissertation and dissertation defense (doctoral degree only)

Many programs require you to complete an externship or field work as part of their curriculums. This is a hands-on opportunity to apply what you learn in the classroom to real-life historic preservation situations.

Possible settings include a state historic preservation office, a historical society, a historic site or museum, or an architectural firm. You might assist with restoration tasks, planning, research, or fundraising. Whatever the setting and situation, you benefit from the guidance and direct supervision of an experienced historic preservation professional.

Things to Know

A doctoral (PhD) degree in this field prepares you to teach historic preservation at the college level.

Many programs incorporate local historic sites and make use of resources in their area. For this reason, you may want to consider location when choosing a school program.

Schools

King-Snohomish Area

University of Washington - Seattle

• Built Environment--Historic Preservation