Historic Preservation

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The interdisciplinary program in Historic Preservation offers master’s degree candidates in architecture, architectural history, landscape architecture and urban and environmental planning the opportunity to expand their professional studies through specialized training in the theory, practice, and ethics of historic preservation. Preservation has grown increasingly important, both nationally and internationally, in defining a civic sense of place, buttressing sustainable communities, conserving urban neighborhoods, protecting rural and scenic areas, and enriching public understanding of social, cultural, and architectural history. The program provides the opportunity for graduate students to develop the skills and expertise of the preservation practitioner within their own discipline, while at the same time studying the breadth of preservation work in related fields. Faculty from all four disciplines in the School of Architecture and distinguished visiting practitioners teach the preservation courses.

Admission Students wishing to enter the Historic Preservation program must first be admitted to one of the graduate departments in the School of Architecture. In order to ensure proper academic advising and program coordination, students interested in the Historic Preservation program should attend the program meeting at the start of the fall semester. Upon arriving at the Architecture School they should also file a program application form with the Architecture School’s Registrar. Students who complete the required 21 credits of preservation course work receive a Certificate in Historic Preservation, in addition to their department’s master degree. There are individual courses that fulfill the requirements of the historic preservation certificate curriculum that also fulfill requirements within a student’s departmental curriculum. Thus, students normally complete the course work for the historic preservation certificate during the same period in which they complete their degree program.

Historic Preservation Certificate Curriculum Work in the Historic Preservation Program is grouped into four general areas: Theory, History, Practice, and Community. Students must complete 15 credits in a set of core courses. The remaining 6 credits are made up of electives.

Inquiries should be addressed to Director, Historic Preservation Program, School of Architecture, P.O. Box 400122, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4122.

Theory

Candidates take the following course, 3 credits.

ARH 5601 - Historic Preservation Theory and Practice Credits: 3

History

Candidates take at least one of the following courses, or other built environment history course (Candidates take at least one of the following courses, or another built environment history class with director’s approval, 3 credits

ARH 5500 - UNESCO and Architectural Heritage Credits: 3
ARH 7701 - Early American Architecture Credits: 3
ARH 7703 - Nineteenth-Century American Architecture Credits: 3
ARH 7704 - Twentieth-Century American Architecture Credits: 3
LAR 5120 - Adv. History of Landscape Design I Credits: 3
LAR 5130 - Adv History of Landscape Design II Credits: 3
PLAN 5310 - Adv. History Cities & Planning Credits: 3

Practice

Candidates take at least two of the following courses, or one of the following courses and one other preservation practice course with director’s approval, 6 credits

ARH 5604 - Field Methods I Building Archaeology Credits: 3
ARH 5607 - Historic Preservation at UVA Credits: 3
ARH 5610 - Representing Buildings and Landscapes Credits: 3
ARCH 5110 - Design Approaches to Existing Sites Credits: 3
LAR 5230 - Cultural Landscapes Credits: 3
PLAN 5300 - Preservation Planning Credits: 3

Community

Candidates take the following course, 3 credits

ARH 5602 - Community History Workshop Credits: 3

Electives, including Design Studios

Candidates take 6 credits.

There are numerous courses, including design studio courses, available in the Architecture School and throughout the university that cover specialized aspects of preservation and heritage inquiry. Students may choose elective courses either from the classes listed above, or from other classes with director approval.

Internship

A required internship permits students to obtain valuable experience in preservation-related work. Students may pursue the internship either during the school year or during the summer. Students have taken advantage of numerous internship opportunities with US/ICOMOS, National Park Service, HABS/HAER/HALS, English Heritage, Preservation Action, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Monticello, local planning authorities, and preservation planning and design firms. U.Va.’s Institute for Public History coordinates a summer internship program with numerous Virginia institutions and communities that is open to students in the School of Architecture. Students who enroll in the preservation program with substantial prior work in the preservation field will have the internship requirement waived, with director’s approval.