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.

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

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

School: School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Course: Master of Science in Historic Preservation
Location: Chicago, USA
Type: Postgraduate
Course dates: August 2026 to May 2028
Application deadline: Accepting applications

Find out more about the course and apply ›

What will I learn during this course?

– Skills in restoration design, materials conservation, architectural history, preservation planning and artefact management
– Students have the opportunity to explore specific areas of interest through elective coursework

What are the requirements?

– Students must submit an online application, statement of intent, undergraduate transcripts, a resume and two letters of recommendation

What facilities and resources are available?

– Design studio
– A conservation and materials laboratory with lecture space
– A resource library
– Student lounge
– Two dedicated lecture spaces
– Access to The Ryerson & Burnham Libraries, which constitute a major art and architecture research collection, serving the Art Institute of Chicago museum and scholars within the fields of art and architectural history with over 500,000 print titles, 100,000 auction catalogs, 1,200 current serial subscriptions and extensive digital collections

What career prospects can I expect upon graduating?

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.

Who teaches this course?

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

Dezeen Courses

Dezeen Courses is a service from Dezeen that provides details of architecture, interiors and design courses around the world. Click here for more information.