The Master of Science in Historic Preservation course at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago uses the city of Chicago as the basis for theoretical and practical enquiry.

School: School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Course: Master of Science in Historic Preservation
Location: Chicago, USA
Course dates: August 2025 to May 2027
Application deadline: Accepting applications

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago's Master of Science in Historic Preservation (MSHP) program prepares graduates to conserve, restore, and revitalize the built environment through the comprehensive exploration of science, history, creative arts, politics, and technology.

The degree is an intensive two-year, 60-credit program covering restoration design, materials conservation, architectural history, preservation planning, artefact management, and specific areas of interest through elective coursework.

Graduates go on to become preservation planners, consultants to restoration architects, historic interior designers, historic site managers, historic building materials consultants, contractors, site interpreters, collections managers, preservation researchers, and advocates.

Students gain valuable experience through a 210-hour internship with preservation agencies, conservators, restoration architects, or designers of their choosing, exposing them to the latest preservation techniques while working one-on-one with practising professionals.

Additionally, students investigate an area of personal and professional concern in great depth through a two-semester thesis tutorial.

The program uses Chicago as a laboratory, and nearly all department projects involve Chicago or Chicago-area buildings and sites, often resulting in community-based projects that serve the public.

In addition, MSHP faculty are respected, established professionals whose professional affiliations in Chicago and abroad provide a powerful network of connections.

Find out more about the course and apply ›

Top image: student internship project by a student of the Master of Science in Historic Preservation course

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