Preserve the Past. Shape the Future.

Since 1982, our Master of Historic Preservation (MHP) program has been equipping students with the skills to manage and interpret the world around them. Our dedicated faculty prepare graduates to play pivotal roles in the dynamic fields of cultural resource management, preservation planning, and preservation advocacy.

We welcome students from diverse backgrounds, including history, anthropology, landscape architecture, agriculture, interior design, art history, and classics.

We also offer a minor and both graduate and undergraduate certificates to complement your educational journey in historic preservation studies. If you’re a prospective student eager to make a difference in preservation, we invite you to connect with us to discuss admission and funding opportunities.

What is Historic Preservation?

According to the National Park Service, “Historic preservation is a conversation with our past about our future. It provides us with opportunities to ask, ‘What is important in our history?’ and ‘What parts of our past can we preserve for the future?’ Through historic preservation, we look at history in different ways, ask different questions of the past, and learn new things about our history and ourselves. Historic preservation is an important way for us to transmit our understanding of the past to future generations.”

The MHP program at CED teaches students to revitalize our built and natural environments by managing them as they change. Our goal is to nurture passionate professionals who see preservation as an opportunity to protect and integrate historic resources into the vibrant life of their communities. We’re building on the strengths that have made the University of Georgia a hub for preservation education, attracting students from Georgia, the Southeast, and beyond.

Here’s what you can expect from our curriculum:

  • Hands-on, community-focused experiences that balance academic learning with professional training.
  • A deep understanding of the role and importance of historic resources.
  • Practical knowledge of the principles and techniques for protecting and revitalizing historic resources in both urban and rural settings.
  • Preparation for meaningful careers in preservation planning with various public organizations, private firms, or government agencies.
  • The foundation to develop your personal philosophy of cultural heritage and its management
  • The tools and confidence to emerge as leaders in the preservation field.

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Career Information


Funding + Scholarships

The University of Georgia Bursar‘s webpage has the most up-to-date information about tuition and fees for the current and past school years. Be sure to note that the MHP program falls under Specific Graduate Rates and not the Standard Graduate Rate. In addition to tuition, there are mandatory fees that give students access to the Athens and UGA bus system, the Ramsey Student Center for recreational sports, and more.

The University of Georgia and the College of Environment and Design (CED) offer various scholarships, fellowships, tuition waivers, and assistantships to help MHP students defray the cost of graduate school. In the second year of the MHP program, students are eligible for scholarships and fellowships from the CED itself. These programs support various combinations of tuition, travel, and individual research. The program coordinator can assign MHP students graduate assistantships based on funding from the CED, the University of Georgia Graduate School, and outside granting agencies. Finally, some students from outside Georgia are eligible for out-of-state tuition waivers, which can be acquired based on state of residence, academic merit, or a change of residency. While every attempt is made to seek funding for graduate students, it is not guaranteed.

In addition to funding available through UGA, each year a variety of organizations, such as the Georgia Trust, The Garden Club of Georgia, and the Daughters of the American Revolution offer scholarships to alleviate the cost of tuition and support research. Many summer internships come with a stipend to defray living expenses. It is also possible to maintain a part-time job while in the MHP program, though time management and prioritization are crucial to balancing work with studies.


MHP Student Resources


Undergraduate Opportunities in Historic Preservation


Additional Graduate Opportunities in Historic Preservation


Have more questions about the MHP program at the College of Environment + Design? Contact the MHP Program Coordinator.

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Join the College of Environment + Design and prepare to shape our world.