Become a Leader in Historic Preservation

Transform Communities and Protect History

Uplift the past to shape the future: that is what Historic Preservation is all about.

Our Mission

Managing change of our inherited built environment is the core task of the Historic Preservation field. The question is not simply how we do this—through conservation, design, storytelling, writing policies—but for whom, and to what end?

People standing in front of an old church with an installation in windows

STEM-Eligible

Our customizable curriculum bridges theory and practice at a world-class university. Gain the skills to be not just a thought leader but a change maker in your community and beyond.

Degree Programs

MSHP Master of Science in Historic Preservation Gain Essential Skills in Our 2-Year Program MSD-HP Master of Science in Design: Historic Preservation Accelerate Your Career Change with Our 1-Year Post-Professional Program

Why study Historic Preservation?

A degree in preservation will open you up to a fulfilling career where you can shape the stories we tell about buildings, communities, and our built environments. At Penn you can learn the tools of the trade, from specialized equipment and software, to using local policies to uplift your community.

Cultural heritage is all around us. Will you be a part of the growing field of preservation professionals ensuring it is here for generations?

Who are these programs for?

Master of Science in Historic Preservation (MSHP)

· The MSHP student is looking to gain essential skills and begin their career in preservation.

· Our students come from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds, including architecture, history, urban studies, civil engineering, tourism management, landscape architecture, chemistry, art history, and studio art.

Master of Science in Design: Historic Preservation (MSD-HP)

• Practicing professionals seeking post-professional training, specialization, or change in career path.

• MSD-HP students must possess a professional degree in design or planning fields (architecture, landscape architecture, interior architecture, urban planning, urban design, engineering, building science, or other related fields) from an accredited University, and at least three years of professional experience.

Take the first step

Keep up with the pace of change, hone advanced skill sets

• Immerse yourself in a thoughtfully designed curriculum that has been refined over four decades.

• Develop specialized skills in value-based heritage conservation, building documentation, digital media, and archival research.

• Gain experience working alongside the leading experts in the field with our cutting-edge research centers.

• Travel to internationally recognized historic sites through studios and internships.

• Expand your career opportunities to work in a profession that values cultural differences and gain access to a worldwide network of practitioners.

What You Will Learn

Our curriculum gives you hands-on experience with the skills employers are looking for, like laser scanning, deed research, GIS, HABS standards, Section 106, community engagement, writing historic register nominations, and more.

A group of students looking at an image on a tablet

Why Weitzman?

• Proven curriculum built on solid knowledge, skill sets, and cutting-edge research. Our four concentrations span the breadth of the field, from material analysis under the microscope to planning policy outcomes.

• Individual attention at a world-class university. Preservation-specific resources include 3 research centers and a world-class laboratory

• Cross-disciplinary faculty of international renown. More than 20 architects, planners, scientists, historians, engineers, and conservators.

• Maximize your time with our dual-degree options. Weitzman allows you to combine the MSHP with another masters in architecture, planning, fine arts, landscape architecture, or urban spatial analytics.

• Diverse intellectual and practical experience in classroom, studio, lab and field. Largest offering of courses in preservation of built heritage of any program in North America, which can be combined with courses from across the University.

• International exposure and opportunities for global—as well as local—engagement. We work in more than 20 countries in Europe, South America, Asia & Africa—not to mention Philadelphia and the rest of the United States.

• Excellent career placement. Our network of alums spans the globe across the private, nonprofit, and public sectors.

• Excellent value for your investment. You are making a big investment in your graduate education –and we give you maximum benefit and value during your degree and into your career

Put your passion into practice

Request more information

Hear from our alums

“I chose Penn’s preservation program because it has so many great faculty members that cover so many facets of the preservation practice. During my time here, it really felt like I was exposed to and had the opportunity to pursue all sides of historic preservation.” Calvin Nguyen (MSHP’23) Preservation Coordinator, Indiana Landmarks

“When you’re working full-time, you just don't have the time or resources to do research that deeply. So, the program gave me the opportunity to really dig into a topic that I cared about.” Holly Boyer (MSD-HP’19) Historical Architect, Independence National Historical Park

Important Program Dates

November 2, 2026
Virtual Open House

January 13, 2027
Application Deadline

August 6, 2027
First Day of Summer Institute

August 31, 2027
First Day of Classes

Meet the people of Historic Preservation

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to have a background in architecture or history?

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and the field is inherently interdisciplinary. We have had successful applicants with undergraduate degrees in planning, chemistry, anthropology, construction science, and the humanities, to name a few.

Do I need to take the GRE?

No, our application does not require a GRE score.

Are there any prerequisites to apply?

Before entering the Master of Science in Historic Preservation program, students must have proficiency in computer-aided drafting (AutoCAD). This prerequisite does not need to be completed at the time of application but is required before enrolling for the fall semester.

Also, those electing to pursue the concentration in architectural conservation should have at least one college-level course in basic chemistry or equivalent before beginning the curriculum.

View the full application requirements on our How To Apply page.

Can I visit campus?

We would love to host you for a visit. Please email pennhspv@design.upenn.edu to set up an appointment.

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