The Master of Science in Historic Preservation combines rigorous intellectual training with practical foundational skills needed for professional practice. The degree is earned in four consecutive semesters (two years), with students taking four to five courses per semester (for a total of 19 Course Units). First-year core courses prepare students for second-year integrative courses-the Preservation Studio and individual Thesis. Each student chooses electives clustered around a concentration; ten of the 19 required Course Units are devoted to electives. A professional internship is required in the summer between the two years of study. The MSHP degree may be pursued in conjunction with other Weitzman School departments and Penn schools as part of established dual-degree programs.
Printable PDF of the Master of Science in Historic Preservation (MSHP) Requirements
Note: the course numbers in parentheses reference the course numbers from the legacy student record system. Beginning with the Summer 2022 term, all courses at Penn will utilize 4-digit course numbers. Both the new 4-digit course number and the old 3-digit course number are listed below to facilitate a translation between old and new numbering systems.
Summer Year 1
HSPV 7900 (790) | Historic Preservation Summer Institute | 0 |
Fall Year 1
HSPV 5210 (521) | American Architecture | 1 |
HSPV 6000 (600) | Documentation, Research, Recording I | 2 |
HSPV 6240 (624) | Digital Media I | .5 |
HSPV 6600 (660) | Theories of Historic Preservation I | .5 |
HSPV XXXX | HSPV Elective I | 1 |
Spring Year 1
HSPV 6010 (601) | Documentation, Research Recording II | 1 |
HSPV 6270 (627) | Digital Media II | .5 |
HSPV 6610 (661) | Theories of Historic Preservation II | .5 |
HSPV XXXX | HSPV Elective II | 1 |
HSPV XXXX | HSPV Elective III | 1 |
General Elective I | 1 |
Summer Year 2
Internship | 0 |
Fall Year 2
HSPV 7010 (701) | Preservation Studio | 2 |
HSPV 7100 (710) | Thesis (or HSPV Elective IV) | 1 |
General Elective II | 1 | |
General Elective III | 1 |
Spring Year 2
HSPV 7110 (711) | Thesis II (or Capstone Studio for 2 CUs) | 1 |
HSPV XXXX | HSPV Elective IV | 1 |
HSPV XXXX | HSPV Elective V | 1 |
General Elective IV | 1 |