HISTORIC PRESERVATION PROGRAM
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University of Vermont

Graduate Curriculum

The M.S. Degree in Historic Preservation is a 36-credit hour program. All students must complete either a 3-credit internship or a 6-credit written thesis project, and must pass a comprehensive examination at the end of the third semester.

The following courses are program requirements:
HP 200: History of American Architecture. 3 credits.
HP 201: History on the Land. 3 credits.
HP 204: Historic Preservation: Development Economics. 3 credits.
HP 205: Historic Preservation Law. 3 credits.
HP 206: Researching Historic Structures and Sites. 3 credits.
HP 302: Community Preservation Project. 3 credits.
HP 303: Internship. 3 Credits. (or HP 391: Thesis. 6 credits.)
HP 304: Contemporary Preservation Policy and Planning. 3 credits.
HP 305: Historic Preservation Practice Methods. 3 credits
HP 306: Architectural Conservation I. 3 credits.
HP 307: Architectural Conservation II. 3 credits.
ELECTIVE: 3 credits (to complete a total of at least 36 credits) approved by the program director.

TYPICAL SCHEDULE OF COURSES

First Year
Autumn Semester
HP 200: History of American Architecture
HP 204: Historic Preservation: Development Economics (even-numbered years)
HP 206: Researching Historic Structures and Sites
HP 304: Contemporary Preservation Policy and Planning (odd-numbered years)
Elective

Spring Semester
HP 201: History on the Land
HP 205: Historic Preservation Law
HP 305: Historic Preservation Practice Methods
HP 306: Architectural Conservation I

Second Year
Autumn Semester

HP 302: Community Preservation Project
HP 307: Architectural Conservation II
HP 204: Historic Preservation: Development Economics (even-numbered years)
HP 303 Internship (with summer placement)
HP 304: Contemporary Preservation Policy and Planning (odd-numbered years)
Comprehensive Examination (required)

Fall Semester (Optional)
HP 303: Internship
HP 391: Thesis (in lieu of internship by permission)
Other Electives
Minimum Program Total Credits 36

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

HP 200: History of American Architecture
Study of architectural history to gain fluency in the stylistic terms so essential to historic preservation and to public support for conserving our architectural heritage.
Prerequisites: Open to non-HP majors by permission. 3 Credits.

HP 201: History on the Land
Identifying and interpreting evidence of the cultural forces -- early settlement patterns, transportation, industry, agriculture, planning, conservation -- that have shaped our land, buildings, towns and cities. 3 Credits.

HP 204: Historic Preservation: Development Economics
Survey of economic, financial aspects of real estate development pertaining to preservation and adaptive use (markets studies, pro formas). Field trips. Actual proposal development for under-utilized historic properties. 3 Credits.

HP 205: Historic Preservation Law
Legal issues in the conservation of the built environment. Basic legal techniques for protection of historic structures (historic districts, protective legislation, easements, covenants). Study of significant court decisions. 3 Credits.

HP 206: Researching Historic Structures and Sites
Methods for researching historic structures and sites using archival and physical evidence, deciphering archaic building technologies and documenting structures through professional reports, architectural photography, measured drawings. Prerequisites: HP majors or by permission. 3 Credits.

HP 302: Community Preservation Project
Third-semester graduate students apply professional skills to actual community preservation problems. Projects include strategy development, securing and allocating funds, research, advocacy, implementation, evaluation. 3 Credits.

HP 303: Internship
Students devote a semester, typically in the summer between the second and third semesters, to do preservation work within an appropriate organization or agency. Duties of the student intern are arranged with the host institution by an agreement with the instructors and the student. Internships are evaluated by student reports, a written evaluation from the student's supervisor, and by students presenting their completed internship projects before a jury of practicing professionals. 3 Credits.

HP 304: Contemporary Preservation Policy and Planning
This introduction to the professional practice of preservation planning traces the evolution of the historic preservation movement and examines contemporary preservation policy-making issues. 3 credits.

HP 305: Historic Preservation Practice Methods
This course introduces students to professional practice methods for conducting historic site and structures surveys, National Register nominations, and rehabilitation investment tax credit application projects. 3 credits.

HP 306: Architectural Conservation I
An examination of the physical properties of historic building materials, their deterioration mechanisms, and strategies for assessing conditions, conserving and rehabilitating historic resources. Lecture and lab. Prerequisites: HP majors or by permission. 3 Credits.

HP 307: Architectural Conservation II
A continuation of Architectural Conservation I emphasizing an integrated examination of historic preservation and architectural conservation through lectures, seminars, and field and laboratory research projects. Prerequisites: HP majors or by permission and HP 306. 3 Credits.

ELECTIVE COURSES

Students may choose from graduate electives with a 200 course number or higher with permission of the Historic Preservation Program director.

HP 202, 395: Special Topics
From time to time specialized innovative and experimental courses may be offered under these numbers. Some are typically offered in the summer.

HP 391: Masters Thesis Research
Students may elect to do a thesis, in lieu of an internship and elective by permission only. Total of 6 credits.

HP 397: Special Readings and Research
As an elective, students may request permission to conduct special independent preservation-related research projects with historic preservation program faculty. 3 credits.

Graduate students are also welcome to take special-topics preservation and other related courses as electives for extra credits during the summer session. Contact the Historic Preservation Program or the University of Vermont Division for Continuing Education at 800-639-3210 for current course listings.

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Last updated June 3, 2009
Course offerings are subject to change.
Please contact the UVM Historic Preservation Program for current information at histpres@zoo.uvm.edu