Master of Historic Preservation (M.H.P.) | School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation

Historic Preservation at UMD

A Flexible, Holistic Education for the Profession

Through hands-on training and project work, gain professional skills in documentation, policy analysis, interpretation and preservation methodology to protect and reimagine historic places. Coursework is offered during the evening to allow working professionals to complete this degree.

An Interdisciplinary Approach

Work alongside peers in architecture, community planning and real estate development through interdisciplinary coursework and competitions, or enroll in one of our dual degrees to tailor your experience to your interests and career goals.

Study in the Nation’s Capital Region

Located just outside Washington, D.C., take advantage of our proximity to national, state and local preservation organizations. Students work directly with professionals, community partners and agencies to build real-world experiences in revitalization, resilience and place-based storytelling.

Master of Historic Preservation

The Master of Historic Preservation (M.H.P.) degree at UMD addresses the diverse needs of the historic preservation field. This two-year, 45-credit program includes advanced coursework, an interdisciplinary studio project and a summer internship. Explore topics like public policy, economic development, adaptive reuse and cultural diversity, alongside broad grounding preservation subjects.

Admission is competitive and holistic. We value strong writing, a compelling statement of purpose, and meaningful recommendations that reflect your potential as a preservation leader. If you're passionate about the power of place and ready to make an impact, Maryland is the place to start.

Curriculum

To view the degree's most updated curriculum, please visit UMD's Graduate Catalog.
To view current course offerings visit Testudo.

Specialized Tracks

The Historic Preservation Program at UMD offers interdisciplinary training with elective courses and 15-credit specializations. Students can choose pre-approved specializations or request approval for other courses. Dual degree students may have limited elective options and might need extended coursework for specialization.

Specializations:

Environmental Issues: Focuses on environmental justice and policies affecting society and the planet.
- Courses include LARC461, PLCY740, PLCY744.
Social Justice: Explores social conditions shaping human society and the built environment.
- Courses include AMST498N, AMST629D, ARCH678U, PLCY699D, SOCY661, URSP688Z.
Digital Preservation: Enhances skills in digital documentation and curation.
- Courses include HISP679, HISP619O, AMST629U, INST604, INST643, URSP688L.
Policy: Examines public policy systems and processes.
- Courses include RDEV615, PLCY611, URSP688O.

Preparing You for Practice

Hands-on Research

Our faculty, research labs and studios offer hands-on opportunities to apply technical and methodological skills to historic and cultural places and communities.

Explore our living laboratories

Education Abroad

Learn about our three- and six-week global programs in Cuba, India, Italy, Japan and more.

Explore where you can go

Professional Mentorship

Our faculty are academics and practitioners, tied to networks of experience and connections that will help prepare you for government, non-profit and institutional careers.

We can help guide your career

Admissions

All applicants must have a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution. There is no restriction on the applicant's previous field of study, and we encourage diversity in all senses.

Application Requirements

Apply for the Master of Historic Preservation degree through the graduate application website. Use the code "HISP" when prompted.

Application Fee:

A non-refundable $80 fee per program is required, payable online for submission.
To find out if you are eligible for an application fee waiver, please visit the Graduate School website.

Transcripts:

Attach unofficial transcripts from all institutions, including University of Maryland. Official transcripts must be sent directly if admitted.

Letters of Recommendation:

Submit three recommendations online, assessing your potential for success in the program.

Statement of Purpose:

The Statement of Purpose helps us get to know you as an individual and as a potential graduate student. The admissions committee is interested in your academic, professional, and personal background and goals. In your essay, please address the following points as appropriate:

Your preparation and motivation for graduate study, including the academic, work, and/or research experiences that prepare you for this graduate program and motivation or passion for graduate study.
Your research interests, disciplinary subfields, area/s of specialization and professional objectives.
How your preparation, experiences and interests match the specific resources and characteristics of the graduate program at UMD. Please identify specific faculty within your desired graduate program with whom you would like to work and how their interests match your own.

The Historic Preservation program recommends a 1000-2000 word statement to address these points.

Personal Experience Prompt
The Graduate School requires all graduate applicants to submit at least one 100-300 word response to prompts that share how lived experiences, including those outside of academic experiences, resulted in a positive outcome that helped prepare you for this stage in your life. Applicants may choose at least one of these areas:

Community involvement and/or service
Engagement in leadership roles, facilitating change, or mentoring others
Overcoming social, economic, educational, or physical barriers

Resume:

Attach an updated resume online.

Writing Sample

A writing sample of at least 10-30 pages of previous academic or professional work must be submitted and uploaded to the Writing Sample section of the application. (Historic preservation does not need to be the subject of your writing sample.)

International Applicants

Applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents must submit additional documents. Updated information is available on the Graduate School International Admissions web page. Please make sure to follow all the steps specified on the Graduate School International Admissions Page.

Deadline

The deadline for Fall 2026 applications to the Master of Historic Preservation is January 16, 2026 (domestic and international applicants).

Some dual degree programs have different deadlines for each program. Please check the deadline for each program.

Tuition and Fees

For current tuition and fees, please visit the Student Financial Services and Cashiering website.

Apply

Apply through the graduate application website. Use application code HISP.

Dual Master's Degrees

The School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation offers fifteen dual-degree options for students who wish to explore beyond a singular discipline, capitalizing on the depth and breadth of offerings of the University of Maryland.

Below are dual degrees offered with the Master of Historic Preservation program.

Contact

Delaney West, Senior Program Coordinator: dmwest@umd.edu.