UO’s Historic Preservation Program, founded in 1980, is one of the premiere preservation programs in the US. The program combines leading-edge academic research with outstanding teaching from experienced practitioners in design, planning, and heritage conservation and produces leaders in the public sector, in private practice, and in nonprofit advocacy. Students have exciting opportunities to interact with design firms, local developers, and preservation activists in the Eugene area, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond.
The Student Experience
Our graduate program focuses on research and instruction in both the theory and practice of historic preservation in the US and the world, with a focus on both the physical and social aspects of cultural resources. Students have the opportunity to concentrate in one of three areas:
- Sustainable Preservation Design
- Cultural Resource Management Planning
- Cultural Heritage and History
Core courses include the basics of identification and designation of properties for official listing, legal aspects of protection and regulation of the treatment of historic properties, and the history of buildings and intangible traditions that make up our cultural heritage. You’ll augment your core courses by doing fieldwork in both urban and rural contexts and work with professionals and public officials concerned with preserving historic resources. Each student carries out an in-depth capstone project (thesis or client-oriented report) in which they apply the skills they have gained on an independent research effort.
The Historic Preservation Program has an interdisciplinary focus within the School of Architecture & Environment in the College of Design. Some students have chosen to develop specialties and concurrent master’s degrees in related fields such as architecture; landscape architecture; and planning, public policy and management. Others have created more unique combinations with studies in museums, economic development, and Russian and East European studies.
Funding
The Historic Preservation Program is a participating member of the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP, formerly WICHE). This program allows students from participating states to receive in-state tuition while completing their master of science degree in historic preservation at the University of Oregon. Additional opportunities for fellowships and travel awards are also available.
Take the Next Step
We invite you to visit us, meet our faculty and students, and see what we're all about.
Enrich Your Academic Experience
Expand your horizons with study abroad experiences, field schools, and internships.
Student Spotlight
Historic Preservation graduate student Nicole Possert is the new director of Restore Oregon—the historic preservation nonprofit representing the State of Oregon—where she hopes to focus on providing solutions to pressing issues, from climate change to social justice.
After years of ‘hands-on’ experience, I wanted to deepen and formalize my practice,” Possert said. “I am energized by the variety of preservation opportunities in Oregon, not only in the built and natural environments, but in the social and cultural realms that can advance the unknown or untold stories of all Oregonians.”