The undergraduate Minor in Historic Preservation introduces students to the foundations of preserving the built environment through a combination of theoretical study, architectural history, and hands-on conservation practice. Students explore the global development of cultural heritage management and the motivations, benefits, and challenges of preserving historic places while gaining a strong grounding in American architectural history from the colonial period through the late twentieth century. Through these courses, students learn to identify architectural styles, understand evolving construction technologies, and examine how historic buildings shape and reflect cultural values.

The program also emphasizes applied learning and technical skills. Students study historic building materials and conservation techniques, participate in hands-on demonstrations, and learn methods for documenting the built environment through measured drawings, photography, and digital tools. Courses investigate the relationships between architecture, culture, and place, encouraging students to analyze how built environments embody both tangible and intangible heritage. Fieldwork and site visits further connect classroom learning to real-world preservation practice, preparing students to engage thoughtfully with historic sites and landscapes.

Course List

Course ID	Title	Credits
PRES 2100	Intro to Historic Preservation *	3
PRES 2120	History of American Architecture I 1	3
PRES 2220	Conservation Technology 1	3
PRES 4105	Architecture, Heritage, and Culture 2	3
PRES 4110	Heritage Documentation 2	3
PRES 4120	History of American Architecture II 3	3
Total Credit Hours		18

*

PRES 2100 Intro to Historic Preservation (3 c.h.) must be completed before any other PRES course can be taken. 

¹

PRES 2100 Intro to Historic Preservation (3 c.h.) can be taken as a pre-requisite or co-requisite. 

²

PRES 2100 Intro to Historic Preservation (3 c.h.) is a pre-requisite course. 

³

PRES 2100 Intro to Historic Preservation (3 c.h.) and PRES 2120 History of American Architecture I (3 c.h.) are pre-requisite courses. 

Course Scheduling: 

• PRES 2100 Intro to Historic Preservation (3 c.h.), PRES 2120 History of American Architecture I (3 c.h.), and PRES 2220 Conservation Technology (3 c.h.) are only offered in the Fall semester.
• PRES 4105 Architecture, Heritage, and Culture (3 c.h.), PRES 4110 Heritage Documentation (3 c.h.), and PRES 4120 History of American Architecture II (3 c.h.) are only offered in the Spring Semester. 

Master of Science in Historic Preservation Advanced Standing Option: 

Students attaining grades above a 3.0 in two or more PRES courses may receive advanced standing in the graduate-level Master of Science in Historic Preservation program upon separate application and acceptance to the Masters program. Interested students should contact the director of the Historic Preservation program for more information.

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For more information, contact the School of Architecture and Built Environment.