The Masters of Science in Historic Preservation trains students to become leaders in the field of historic preservation and its allied disciplines. A comprehensive four-semester program provides students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in this dynamic and interdisciplinary field. The first two semesters provide training in the foundational elements of preservation practice in the 21st century, including coursework in the history and theory of the discipline, regional and national architecture, preservation law, architectural conservation, and historic building investigation and documentation. Year two provides students with the opportunity to specialize in various areas of historic preservation including: digital technology, heritage resilience and sustainability, and architectural conservation. The program culminates in a thesis or practicum. Ultimately the program exposes students to the breadth of historic preservation in the US and International contexts. Using New Orleans as a laboratory, one that is linked to the wider Gulf Coast and Caribbean region, students are trained in an incomparable context for challenges that cross-cut historic preservation from issue in climate change, heritage justice, and housing affordability. In addition to the MS, students may apply to and concurrently complete master degrees in either Architecture (M.Arch) or Sustainable Real Estate Development (MSRED). Students can also specialize through the certificate program in Sustainable Real Estate Development (SRED).
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PRES 6100 | Introduction to Historic Preservation | 3 |
| PRES 6120 | History American Architecture | 3 |
| PRES 6130 | Archival and Historical Research Methods | 3 |
| PRES 6041 | Preservation Studio I | 6 |
| PRES 6042 | Preservation Studio II | 6 |
| PRES 6210 | Architectural Conservation Lab | 6 |
| PRES 6220 | Conservation Technology | 3 |
| PRES 6151 | New Orleans Architecture | 3 |
| PRES 6510 | Preservation Professional Development | 1 |
| PRES 6520 | Environmental Law: Historic Preservation | 2 |
| PRES 6560 | Preservation Internship 1 | 3 |
| PRES 6980 | Preservation Research Seminar | 3 |
| PRES 6985 | Preservation Practicum | 6 |
| or PRES 6990 | Preservation Thesis | |
| Four 6000-level PRES Electives 2 | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
- 1
PRES 6560 Historic Preservation Internship must be completed over the summer between years 1 and 2. Credit will be applied in the 2nd year fall term.
- 2
Selected ARCH (Architecture), SRED (Sustainable Real Estate Development), or SISE (Social Innovation/Social Entrepreneurship) courses may count as electives. Consult with the program director for approval.
Curricular paths
Detailed, term-specific curricular paths for the MS in Historic Preservation as well as for the dual degree options – “MArch +MSHP”, or “MArch (Adv Standing) + MSHP” – can be found on the School of Architecture’s website.