Historic Preservation, MSHP
The Master of Science in Historic Preservation degree requires two academic years of full-time study, including core subjects and specialized study in one of four focus areas: architectural conservation, preservation design, preservation planning, and public history of the built environment. The required courses and specific course of study for each concentration can be found on the corresponding tabs.
For more information: https://www.design.upenn.edu/historic-preservation
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2026 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.
Curriculum
A total of 19 course units are required. A minimum of 15 CUs must be HSPV courses.
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| HSPV 7900 | Historic Preservation Summer Institute | 0 |
| HSPV 5210 | The American Built Environment | 1 |
| HSPV 6000 | Documentation, Research, Recording I | 2 |
| HSPV 6010 | Documentation, Research, Recording II | 1 |
| HSPV 6240A | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6240B | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6600 | Theories of Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6610 | Theories of Historic Preservation II | 0.5 |
| HSPV 7010 | Historic Preservation Studio | 2 |
| 4 Concentration Courses | 4 | |
| 2 Preservation Electives (HSPV courses or with FMHP attribute) | 2 | |
| 3 General Electives (must be 5000-level or higher) | 3 | |
| Thesis (HSPV 7100 and HSPV 7110) | 2 | |
or | ||
Capstone (HSPV 7210) | ||
| Total Course Units | 19 | |
Students must also complete:
- A summer internship between their first and second years of study
- Two-day, 10-hour OSHA Training Program prior to the start of spring semester during the first year of study
A minimum GPA of 3.00 is required for graduation.
Architectural Conservation Concentration
Architectural Conservation Concentration Requirements
In addition to the general degree requirements, the following 4 CUs are required for Architectural Conservation concentrators:
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | 2 | |
| Architectural Conservation | ||
| Building Pathology | ||
| Choose Two of the Following: | 2 | |
| Conservation Seminar: Wood | ||
| Conservation Seminar: Masonry | ||
| Conservation Seminar: Finishes | ||
| Topics in Architectural Conservation | ||
| Total Course Units | 4 | |
Preservation Design Concentration
Preservation Design Concentration Requirements
In addition to the general degree requirements, the following 4 CUs are required for Preservation Design concentrators:
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | ||
| Building Pathology | ||
| Contemporary Design in Historic Settings | ||
| Choose a total of 2 CUs from the following: 2 | ||
| Preservation and Development of Urban Heritage in the Americas | ||
or HSPV 7050 | Advanced Preservation Studio | |
or HSPV 7210 | Historic Preservation Capstone Studio | |
| Preservation Through Public Policy | ||
| Preservation Economics | ||
Selected ARCH courses 1 | ||
- 1
Architecture courses must be approved in advance by the Historic Preservation department before counting towards the concentration.
- 2
If HSPV 7030, 7050 or 7210 is taken for 2 CUs, students do not need a second course from this category.
Preservation Planning Concentration
Preservation Planning Concentration Requirements
In addition to the general degree requirements, the following 4 CUs are required for Preservation Planning concentrators:
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | 3 | |
| Preservation Through Public Policy | ||
| Preservation Economics | ||
| Historic Preservation Law | ||
| Choose One GIS Course: 1 | 1 | |
| Modeling Geographical Objects | ||
| Public Policy Analytics | ||
| Modeling Geographic Space | ||
| Modeling Geographical Objects | ||
| Community Mapping | ||
| Total Course Units | 4 | |
- 1
Relevant GIS courses in other departments, such as SWRK or ENVS, may also be approved. Please consult HSPV department for approval.
Public History of the Built Environment Concentration
Public History of the Built Environment Concentration Requirements
In addition to the general degree requirements, the following 4 CUs are required for Public History of the Built Environment concentrators:
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses: | 2 | |
| Public History - Theory and Practice | ||
| Historic Site Management | ||
| Choose Two of the Following: | 2 | |
| American Domestic Interiors | ||
| Cultural Landscapes and Landscape Preservation | ||
| Preservation Through Public Policy | ||
| World Heritage in Global Conflict | ||
| Ruins and Reconstruction | ||
| Topics in Historic Preservation & Public History | ||
| Topics in Historic Preservation | ||
| Material Histories and Ethnographic Methods | ||
| Readings in Urban & Planning History | ||
| Archive Philadelphia: Architectural History & Cultural Institutions | ||
| Total Course Units | 4 | |
Sample Plan of Study - No Concentration
Plan of Study for Students Completing a Thesis in Year 2
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Course Units | |
| HSPV 7900 | Historic Preservation Summer Institute | 0 |
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Fall | ||
| HSPV 5210 | The American Built Environment | 1 |
| HSPV 6000 | Documentation, Research, Recording I | 2 |
| HSPV 6240A | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6600 | Theories of Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV Concentration Course or Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSPV 6010 | Documentation, Research, Recording II | 1 |
| HSPV 6240B | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6610 | Theories of Historic Preservation II | 0.5 |
| HSPV Concentration Course(s) or Electives 1 | 2 | |
| Select 1 General Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Summer | ||
| Internship | ||
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Fall | ||
| HSPV 7010 | Historic Preservation Studio | 2 |
| HSPV 7100 | Thesis I | 1 |
| HSPV Concentration Course or Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Select 1 General Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSPV 7110 | Thesis II | 1 |
| HSPV Concentration Course(s) or Elective(s) 1 | 2 | |
| Select 1 General Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 19.00 | |
Plan of Study for Students Completing Capstone Studio
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Course Units | |
| HSPV 7900 | Historic Preservation Summer Institute | 0 |
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Fall | ||
| HSPV 5210 | The American Built Environment | 1 |
| HSPV 6000 | Documentation, Research, Recording I | 2 |
| HSPV 6240A | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6600 | Theories of Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV Concentration Course or Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSPV 6010 | Documentation, Research, Recording II | 1 |
| HSPV 6240B | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6610 | Theories of Historic Preservation II | 0.5 |
| HSPV Concentration Course(s) or Elective 1 | 2 | |
| Select 1 General Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Summer | ||
| Internship | ||
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Fall | ||
| HSPV 7010 | Historic Preservation Studio | 2 |
| HSPV Concentration Course(s) or Electives 1 | 2 | |
| Select 1 General Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSPV 7210 | Historic Preservation Capstone Studio | 2 |
| HSPV Concentration Course or Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Select 1 General Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 19.00 | |
- 1
HSPV electives are courses within the HSPV department or with the FMHP attribute. General electives are graduate-level courses numbered 5000 or higher.
Architectural Conservation Concentration
Plan of Study for Architectural Conservation Concentration Students Completing Thesis
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Course Units | |
| HSPV 7900 | Historic Preservation Summer Institute | 0 |
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Fall | ||
| HSPV 5210 | The American Built Environment | 1 |
| HSPV 5550 | Architectural Conservation | 1 |
| HSPV 6000 | Documentation, Research, Recording I | 2 |
| HSPV 6240A | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6600 | Theories of Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSPV 5510 | Building Pathology | 1 |
| HSPV 6010 | Documentation, Research, Recording II | 1 |
| HSPV 6240B | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6610 | Theories of Historic Preservation II | 0.5 |
| HSPV Concentration Course or Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Select 1 General Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Summer | ||
| Internship | ||
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Fall | ||
| HSPV 7010 | Historic Preservation Studio | 2 |
| HSPV 7100 | Thesis I | 1 |
| HSPV Concentration Course or Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Select 1 General Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSPV 7110 | Thesis II | 1 |
| HSPV Concentration Course(s) or Elective 1 | 2 | |
| Select 1 General Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 19.00 | |
Plan of Study for Architectural Conservation Concentration Students Completing Capstone Studio
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Course Units | |
| HSPV 7900 | Historic Preservation Summer Institute | 0 |
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Fall | ||
| HSPV 5210 | The American Built Environment | 1 |
| HSPV 5550 | Architectural Conservation | 1 |
| HSPV 6000 | Documentation, Research, Recording I | 2 |
| HSPV 6240A | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6600 | Theories of Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSPV 5510 | Building Pathology | 1 |
| HSPV 6010 | Documentation, Research, Recording II | 1 |
| HSPV 6240B | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6610 | Theories of Historic Preservation II | 0.5 |
| HSPV Concentration Course or Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Select 1 General Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Summer | ||
| Internship | ||
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Fall | ||
| HSPV 7010 | Historic Preservation Studio | 2 |
| HSPV Concentration Course(s) and/or Elective 1 | 2 | |
| Select 1 General Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSPV 7210 | Historic Preservation Capstone Studio | 2 |
| HSPV Concentration Course or Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Select 1 General Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 19.00 | |
- 1
HSPV 7400: Conservation Seminar: Finishes is offered in Spring of even years.
HSPV 7380: Conservation Seminar: Wood is offered in Spring of odd years.
HSPV 7390: Conservation Seminar: Masonry is offered in Fall (due to required courses in First Year Fall, students wishing to take Masonry should take it in Fall of their second year)
Preservation Design Concentration
Course Plan for Preservation Design Concentration Students Completing Thesis
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Course Units | |
| HSPV 7900 | Historic Preservation Summer Institute | 0 |
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Fall | ||
| HSPV 5210 | The American Built Environment | 1 |
| HSPV 6000 | Documentation, Research, Recording I | 2 |
| HSPV 6240A | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6400 | Contemporary Design in Historic Settings | 1 |
| HSPV 6600 | Theories of Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSPV 5510 | Building Pathology | 1 |
| HSPV 6010 | Documentation, Research, Recording II | 1 |
| HSPV 6240B | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6610 | Theories of Historic Preservation II | 0.5 |
| HSPV Concentration Course or Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Select 1 General Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Summer | ||
| Summer Internship | ||
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Fall | ||
| HSPV 7010 | Historic Preservation Studio | 2 |
| HSPV 7100 | Thesis I | 1 |
| HSPV Concentration Course or Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Select 1 General Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSPV 7110 | Thesis II | 1 |
| HSPV Concentration Course or Elective 1 | 2 | |
| Select 1 General Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 19.00 | |
Course Plan for Preservation Design Concentration Students Completing Capstone without Thesis
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Course Units | |
| HSPV 7900 | Historic Preservation Summer Institute | 0 |
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Fall | ||
| HSPV 5210 | The American Built Environment | 1 |
| HSPV 6000 | Documentation, Research, Recording I | 2 |
| HSPV 6240A | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6400 | Contemporary Design in Historic Settings | 1 |
| HSPV 6600 | Theories of Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSPV 5510 | Building Pathology | 1 |
| HSPV 6010 | Documentation, Research, Recording II | 1 |
| HSPV 6240B | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6610 | Theories of Historic Preservation II | 0.5 |
| HSPV Concentration Course or Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Select 1 General Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Summer | ||
| Summer Internship | ||
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Fall | ||
| HSPV 7010 | Historic Preservation Studio | 2 |
| HSPV Concentration Course or Elective 1 | 2 | |
| Select 1 General Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSPV 7210 | Historic Preservation Capstone Studio | 2 |
| HSPV Concentration Course or Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Select 1 General Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 19.00 | |
- 1
Students need 4 CUs of concentration courses, 2 HSPV electives, and 3 General Electives.
Preservation Planning Concentration
Course Plan for Preservation Planning Concentration Students Completing Thesis
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Course Units | |
| HSPV 7900 | Historic Preservation Summer Institute | 0 |
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Fall | ||
| HSPV 5210 | The American Built Environment | 1 |
| HSPV 5720 | Preservation Through Public Policy | 1 |
| HSPV 6000 | Documentation, Research, Recording I | 2 |
| HSPV 6240A | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6600 | Theories of Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSPV 6010 | Documentation, Research, Recording II | 1 |
| HSPV 6240B | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6250 | Preservation Economics | 1 |
| HSPV 6610 | Theories of Historic Preservation II | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6710 | Historic Preservation Law (or HSPV Elective) 1, 2 | 1 |
| Select 1 General Elective 2 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HSPV 7010 | Historic Preservation Studio | 2 |
| HSPV 7100 | Thesis I | 1 |
| HSPV Concentration Course or Elective 2 | 1 | |
| Select 1 General Elective 2 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSPV 7110 | Thesis II | 1 |
| HSPV 6710 | Historic Preservation Law (or Concentration Course) 1, 2 | 1 |
| HSPV Concentration Course or Elective 2 | 1 | |
| Select 1 General Elective 2 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 19.00 | |
Course Plan for Preservation Planning Concentration Students Completing Capstone Studio
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Course Units | |
| HSPV 7900 | Historic Preservation Summer Institute | 0 |
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Fall | ||
| HSPV 5210 | The American Built Environment | 1 |
| HSPV 5720 | Preservation Through Public Policy | 1 |
| HSPV 6000 | Documentation, Research, Recording I | 2 |
| HSPV 6240A | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6600 | Theories of Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSPV 6010 | Documentation, Research, Recording II | 1 |
| HSPV 6240B | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6250 | Preservation Economics | 1 |
| HSPV 6610 | Theories of Historic Preservation II | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6710 | Historic Preservation Law (or HSPV Elective) 1, 2 | 1 |
| Select 1 General Elective 2 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HSPV 7010 | Historic Preservation Studio | 2 |
| HSPV Concentration Course(s) or Elective(s) 2 | 2 | |
| Select 1 General Elective 2 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSPV 6710 | Historic Preservation Law (or Concentration Course) 1, 2 | 1 |
| HSPV 7210 | Historic Preservation Capstone Studio | 2 |
| Select 1 General Elective 2 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 19.00 | |
- 1
HSPV 6710: Preservation Law is only offered in even years, so whether concentration students take this course in year one or year two will vary.
- 2
Students need 4 concentration courses, 2 HSPV electives, and 3 General Electives.
Public History of the Built Environment Concentration
Plan of study for Public History of the Built Environment concentration students doing Thesis
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Course Units | |
| HSPV 7900 | Historic Preservation Summer Institute | 0 |
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Fall | ||
| HSPV 5210 | The American Built Environment | 1 |
| HSPV 6000 | Documentation, Research, Recording I | 2 |
| HSPV 6060 | Historic Site Management (or Concentration Course) 1 | 1 |
| HSPV 6240A | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6600 | Theories of Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSPV 5340 | Public History - Theory and Practice | 1 |
| HSPV 6010 | Documentation, Research, Recording II | 1 |
| HSPV 6240B | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6610 | Theories of Historic Preservation II | 0.5 |
| HSPV Concentration Course or Elective | 1 | |
| Select 1 General Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HSPV 6060 | Historic Site Management (or Concentration Course) 1 | 1 |
| HSPV 7010 | Historic Preservation Studio | 2 |
| HSPV 7100 | Thesis I | 1 |
| Select 1 General Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSPV 7110 | Thesis II | 1 |
| HSPV Concentration Course(s) or Elective(s) | 2 | |
| Select 1 General Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 19.00 | |
Plan of study for Public History of the Built Environment concentration students doing Capstone
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer | Course Units | |
| HSPV 7900 | Historic Preservation Summer Institute | 0 |
| Course Units | 0.00 | |
| Fall | ||
| HSPV 5210 | The American Built Environment | 1 |
| HSPV 6000 | Documentation, Research, Recording I | 2 |
| HSPV 6060 | Historic Site Management (or Concentration Course) 1 | 1 |
| HSPV 6240A | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6600 | Theories of Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSPV 5340 | Public History - Theory and Practice | 1 |
| HSPV 6010 | Documentation, Research, Recording II | 1 |
| HSPV 6240B | Digital Media for Historic Preservation | 0.5 |
| HSPV 6610 | Theories of Historic Preservation II | 0.5 |
| HSPV Concentration Course or Elective | 1 | |
| Select 1 General Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| HSPV 6060 | Historic Site Management (or Concentration Course) 1 | 1 |
| HSPV 7010 | Historic Preservation Studio | 2 |
| HSPV Concentration Course or Elective | 1 | |
| Select 1 General Elective 1 | 1 | |
| Course Units | 5.00 | |
| Spring | ||
| HSPV 7210 | Historic Preservation Capstone Studio | 2 |
| HSPV Concentration Course or Elective | 1 | |
| Select 1 General Elective | 1 | |
| Course Units | 4.00 | |
| Total Course Units | 19.00 | |
- 1
HSPV 6060: Historic Site Management is only offered in the Fall of odd years, so whether students take this course in year one or year two will vary.