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    Historic Preservation, MS

    Program Description

    The College of Design’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 Eugene and the Portland metropolitan area, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond.

    The 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, especially with our Pacific Northwest Preservation Field School.

    To provide an in-depth experience within the program’s broad curriculum, the program strives to address multiple concentrations within the discipline of Historic Preservation. This provides students with the opportunity to gain specific knowledge and skills in a specific area while understanding the wider context for preservation work.

    In addition to providing hands-on training in what might be considered mainstream preservation activities, we emphasize the importance of cultural conservation including issues of diversity, identity, and community development. This includes a concern not only for how various ethnic groups shaped buildings and landscapes in the distant past, but how similar settings are reproduced by cultural groups in the present.

    Students from western states who wish to participate in the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP a tuition reciprocity program), need to review the Historic Preservation Program Graduate Funding page for more information.

    Program Requirements (73 Credits)

    Application at a Glance

    Detailed instructions are available on the program’s website. The following are required for your application:


    Program-Specific Application Requirements:
    Resume
    Statement of Intent
    Educational/Professional Summary
    Letters of Recommendation
    Portfolio

    Meet the Faculty
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    College of Design
    Campus: Eugene
    Fall 2026
    Priority Deadline -  January 09, 2026
    Final Deadline - May 01, 2026 

    Applications must be submitted and paid for by 11:59 PM Pacific Time on the specified deadline date to be considered eligible.

    This program may accept applications after the posted deadline on a space-available basis. Refer to the program’s website for more details.