Master of Science in Historic Preservation

Upcoming Events

• Plan of Study

  The 60-credit MSHP curriculum is structured in layers, beginning with an initial core semester devoted to the acquisition of skills in the analysis and documentation of historic buildings, landscapes, and sites followed by a semester structured around an advanced preservation studio and a conservation laboratory course, both devoted to the development of preservation projects. During the summer between the first and second years, students complete an intensive internship with professional historic preservation practitioners. In addition to gaining valuable hands-on experience and career networking, the internship allows students to gain a first-hand perspective on the professional practice of preservation. The second-year highlights advanced analysis and conservation studies, historic preservation law and economics, elective courses in historic interiors, project administration, and other topics, and completion of an individual research project in the form of a thesis.
  
  MSHP students complete their theses in their third and fourth semesters in the program. Determined by the specific topic of investigation a student pursues for his/her thesis, these semesters include the preparation of drawings, lab work, oral histories, surveys, and national register nominations to supplement the text. 
  
  The organizational structure of the degree program and the curriculum have been developed with the guidance of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), the National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE), and the regional professional community in preservation and design, as well as faculty from peer graduate programs. The program’s curriculum is certified by the National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE).

• Areas of Emphasis

  The mission of the collaborative Clemson University / College of Charleston Graduate Program in Historic Preservation is to educate future leaders in the documentation, evaluation, interpretation, and conservation of historic structures, sites, objects, and landscapes with the goal of developing appropriate preservation strategies for a sustainable future. Utilizing Charleston and the Lowcountry as a laboratory, students in this professional degree program acquire the diverse skills necessary for rewarding professional careers.

  Areas of emphasis include:

  • Architectural History and Cultural Significance
  • Documentation and Interpretation of Landscapes, Buildings, Interiors, and Objects
  • Historic Building Materials, Techniques, and Treatments
  • Contextual Design and Planning
  • Conservation Science and Material Analysis
  • Preservation Policy and Cultural Resource Management
  • Sustainability and the Economics of Rehabilitation

  The program’s experiential curriculum is carried out through community-based preservation projects. Program faculty and students collaborate with a diverse collection of community partners including federal agencies like the National Park Service and the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission, state and county agencies like the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism and Charleston County Parks and Recreation, the City of Charleston, preservation advocacy groups such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Historic Charleston Foundation, Preservation Society of Charleston, and the Lowcountry Land Trust, and community heritage groups like the Progressive Club, Seashore Farmers Lodge, and the South Carolina Society.

• Curriculum

  Master of Science in Historic Preservation Curriculum (60 credit hours required)
  

  Semester I (Core Semester)

  Documentation and Analysis: A semester of "core" curriculum in historic preservation that revolves around developing a deeper understanding of historic architectural fabric through a connected series of NCPE-mandated courses. 15 credits.

  • HP 8080 History and Theory of Historic Preservation (3cr)
  • HP 8070 American Architecture (3cr)
  • HP 8090 Historical Research Methods (3cr)
  • HP 8190 Investigation, Documentation and Conservation (6cr)

  Semester II (Implementation Semester)

  An "advanced" semester that focuses on acquiring advanced skills in digital recording, pursuing a preservation project through a studio, investigating and analyzing cultural landscapes and broader assemblages of historic resources as well as a conservation laboratory science class. 15 credits

  • HP 8050 Preservation Studio (6cr)
  • HP 8330 Cultural & Historical Landscape Preservation (3cr)
  • HP 8100 Conservation Laboratory Science (6cr)

  Summer (Historic Preservation Internship) 

  Historic Preservation Internship in Historic Preservation: A required non-credit internship offered through a variety of organizations and foundations, including the Historic American Building Survey (HABS), Historic American Landscape Survey (HALS) and the Historic American Engineering Survey (HAES), the International Committee on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), the National Trust, and local museums and foundations as well as preservation practitioners in America and Europe. 3 credits.

  • HP 8450 Historic Preservation Internship (3cr)

  Semester III (Advanced Semester)

  Implementation/Intervention: A semester focusing on implementation and intervention. At this point in the curriculum, students begin their theses. 15 credits.

  • HP 8030 Building Technology and Pathology (3cr)
  • HP 8020 Historic Preservation Research Seminar (3cr)
  • HP 8010 Preservation Law and Economics (3cr)
  • Approved Elective (3cr)*
  • Approved Elective (3cr)*  

  Semester IV (Thesis Semester)

  Thesis: A final semester during which the focus is on completion of the thesis with additional opportunities to pursue elective courses related to career goals. 12 credits.

  • HP 8910 Thesis in Historic Preservation (6cr)
  • Approved Elective (3cr)*
  • Approved Elective (3cr)* 

  *Approved Elective Courses

  • HP 8040 Management and Administration of Historic Preservation (3cr)
  • HP 8110 Advanced Conservation Science Laboratory (3cr)
  • HP 8210 Historic Preservation and Public Memory (3cr)
  • HP 8220 Vernacular Places and Spaces (3cr)
  • HP 8230 Historic American Interiors (3cr)
  • HP 8250 Sustainability and Historic Preservation (3cr)
  • HP 8260 Historic Structures Report (3cr)
  • HP 8270 Adaptive Use (3cr)
  • HP 8280 Case Studies in Preservation Engineering (3cr)
  • HP 8290 Digital Tools for Historic Preservation (3cr)
  • HP 8920 Special Topics in Historic Preservation (3cr)
  • HP 8930 Independent Study in Historic Preservation (3cr)

  Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation (15 credit hours required)

  Track A: Fundamentals of Historic Preservation

  Track B: Advanced Applications of Historic Preservation

  Students create a 15-credit course plan with the approval of the Historic Preservation master's program director, which consists of a combination of fundamentals courses and/or advanced electives that best suit the student's educational goals. This track is designed for students who have an established background in historic preservation, either from an undergraduate course of study or professional experience (documented through coursework on a transcript, or a degree, or through a CV and portfolio submitted as part of the application).

   

  A combination of courses totaling 15 credit hours will be chosen from the list below in consultation with the program director.

  • HP 8010 Preservation Law and Economics (3 cr)
  • HP 8030 Building Technology and Pathology (3cr)
  • HP 8040 Management and Administration of Historic Preservation (3cr)
  • HP 8050 Preservation Studio (6cr)
  • HP 8070 American Architecture (3cr)
  • HP 8080 History and Theory of Historic Preservation (3cr)
  • HP 8090 Historical Research Methods (3cr)
  • HP 8100 Conservation Science Laboratory (6cr)
  • HP 8110 Advanced Conservation Science Laboratory (3cr)
  • HP 8190 Investigation, Documentation and Conservation (6cr)
  • HP 8210 Historic Preservation and Public Memory (3cr)
  • HP 8220 Vernacular Places and Spaces (3cr)
  • HP 8230 Historic American Interiors (3cr)
  • HP 8250 Sustainability and Historic Preservation (3cr)
  • HP 8260 Historic Structures Report (3cr)
  • HP 8270 Adaptive Use (3cr)
  • HP 8280 Case Studies in Preservation Engineering (3cr)
  • HP 8290 Digital Tools for Historic Preservation (3cr)
  • HP 8330 Cultural and Historic Landscape Preservation (3cr)
  • HP 8450 Historic Preservation Internship (3cr) 3 credits
  • HP 8920 Special Topics in Historic Preservation (3cr)
  • HP 8930 Independent Study in Historic Preservation (3cr)
• Certificate in Historic Preservation
  Clemson/College of Charleston Graduate Program in Historic Preservation
  Graduate Certificate
   
  Fundamentals of Historic Preservation Track
  This track is designed for students without any educational background or professional experience in historic preservation. Students choosing this track seek to acquire a foundation in the fundamental concepts and skill sets of historic preservation. Students in this track typically have or go on to careers in preservation-related fields like community planning, real estate, museum studies, public history, construction management, and architecture. The courses in this track provide intensive instruction balancing theory and skills in architectural description, documentation, and conditions assessment. This track is typically completed in a single semester in the Fall.
  
  Students can choose HP 8030 OR HP 8090
   

  HP 8030 Building Technology and Pathology	3 credits
  OR
  HP 8090 Historical Research Methods	3 credits
  HP 8080 History and Theory of Historic Preservation	3 credits
  HP 8070 American Architecture	3 credits
  HP 8190 Investigation, Documentation and Conservation	6 credits

   

  Advanced Applications of Historic Preservation Track

  This track is designed for students who have an established background in historic preservation, either from an undergraduate course of study or professional experience (documented through coursework on a transcript, or a degree, or through a CV and portfolio submitted as part of the application. Pursuing this track, the student works with the MSHP director to construct a 15-hour course plan consisting of a combination of fundamentals courses and/or advanced electives that best suit the student’s educational goals. Students may enroll on either a full-time or part-time basis, and all courses for both tracks are completed at the Clemson Design Center in Charleston, SC.

  A combination of courses totaling 15 credit hours will be chosen from the list below in consultation with the program director.

   

  HP 8010 Preservation Law and Economics	3 credits
  HP 8030 Building Technology and Pathology	3 credits
  HP 8040 Management and Administration of Historic Preservation	3 credits
  HP 8050 Preservation Studio	6 credits
  HP 8070 American Architecture	3 credits
  HP 8080 History and Theory of Historic Preservation	3 credits

   

  HP 8090 Historical Research Methods	3 credits
  HP 8100 Conservation Science Laboratory	6 credits
  HP 8110 Advanced Conservation Science Laboratory	3 credits
  HP 8190 Investigation, Documentation and Conservation	6 credits
  HP 8210 Historic Preservation and Public Memory	3 credits
  HP 8220 Vernacular Places and Spaces	3 credits
  HP 8230 Historic American Interiors	3 credits
  HP 8250 Sustainability and Historic Preservation	3 credits
  HP 8260 Historic Structures Report	3 credits
  HP 8270 Adaptive Use	3 credits
  HP 8280 Case Studies in Preservation Engineering	3 credits
  HP 8330 Cultural and Historic Landscape Preservation	3 credits
  HP 8450 Historic Preservation Internship	3 credits
  HP 8920 Special Topics in Historic Preservation	3 credits
  HP 8930 Independent Study in Historic Preservation	1-3 credits

• Lowcountry Preservationist - Our Newsletter

  Click here to view the Spring 2021 Lowcountry Preservationist, our program's annual newsletter showcasing the latest work from our students, faculty, and alumni. 

• Facilities and Resources

  The Graduate Program in Historic Preservation and its students draw on a wide range of resources during their two-year course of study.  One of the program’s most significant assets is its location in Charleston, arguably the nation’s best-preserved city and thebirthplace of many of historic preservation’s most effective tools. 

  The program’s studios as well as its architectural conservation and microscopy laboratories are housed at the new Clemson Design Center located within The Cigar Factory.  The microscopy lab is equipped with digital imaging instruments including a CRAIC photospectrometer.  As students of both Clemson University and the College of Charleston, MSHP students have access to all the laboratories and facilities both schools manage, from the Brick Institute at Clemson to the Avery Research Center at the College of Charleston to the Warren Lasch Conservation Center where MSHP students use XRF, XRD and SEM technology to assess the properties and degradation of historic building materials.

  On-site Materials Conservation Lab (Charleston, SC) An architectural conservation lab is available for students' easy access in the program's main building. The lab is equipped to help students better understand building materials and conservation of those materials through, research, examination, testing and treatment. A Nikon Eclipse 80i microscope in the microscopy lab helps students examine materials from mortar, finishes and wood testing. A full complement of essential lab equipment is available for students use in the conservation lab.

  Lab experiments include:

  • Mortar analysis/gravimetric and acid digestion of mortar and stucco samples
  • Surface water permeability/capillary action
  • Wood maceration/identification
  • Wood swelling and shrinking
  • Stone repair treatments
  • Metal identification
  • Paint/finishes analysis

   
  The Warren Lasch Conservation Lab is located on the North Charleston campus of the Restoration Institute. The lab was originally created to conserve the Hunley — a Civil War-era submarine which was the world's first to sink an enemy ship. The Hunley sank and was lost in 1864, but was found and raised in 1995.

  The goal of the Warren Lasch Conservation Lab is to advance the science of metal artifact conservation. The Hunley has been placed in a massive 55' x 18' x 9' tank filled with fresh water and is undergoing an excavation of the interior. The conservators have implemented an impressed electrical current system to inhibit further corrosion of the Hunley's metal structure.

  The lab is equipped with an x-ray imaging system, XRF spectrum analyzers, remote video devices, precision excavation tools, and various electrical and chemical testing equipment.

  For more information:

  • Photos of the conservation of the Hunley
  • Friends of the Hunley 
  • Clemson University Restoration Institute

  
  The National Brick Research Center is located in Clemson's research park halfway between the city of Clemson and Anderson. The Center focuses on research related to ceramic materials such as brick, tile, and mortar and can perform thermal, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, and compression/tension tests on a variety of historic building materials. In addition, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) machine is available in close proximity to the Center. 

  For more information, refer to the National Brick Research Center's website

  
  Clemson University and College of Charleston Libraries (Charleston and Clemson, SC) Students in the Graduate Program in Historic Preservation are dual-enrolled in Clemson University and the College of Charleston and have full access to both of these institutions' resources, including their libraries.

  For more information, visit the following links:

  • Clemson University libraries
  • College of Charleston libraries
• Centers and Institutes

  A variety of Clemson's centers and institutes can provide useful resources for research related to historic preservation in the Charleston area, the state of South Carolina, the nation as a whole, and internationally.

  Located in the Charleston area

  • Clemson University Restoration Institute
  • Clemson Architectural Center in Charleston

  Located in the Clemson (Upstate of SC) area
  

  • The Strom Thurmond Institute of Government and Public Affairs
  • Clemson International Institute for Tourism Research & Development 

  Located internationally

  • Clemson's architectural center in Barcelona, Spain
  • Clemson's architectural center in Genoa, Italy
• Historic Preservation Organizations

  The state of South Carolina has a rich heritage that is preserved, interpreted, and sustained by wide variety of non-profit and governmental organizations. The list below represents but a few of these organizations:

  Charleston, SC area

  • Preservation Society of Charleston
  • Historic Charleston Foundation
  • The Charleston Heritage Foundation
  • Drayton Hall
  • The American College of the Building Arts

  South Carolina

  • The Palmetto Trust
  • South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office

  National

  • Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
  • American Association of Geographers
  • American Association for State and Local History
  • American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC)
  • American Institute of Architects
  • American Planning Association
  • American Studies Association
  • Association for Preservation Technology
  • Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture
  • Environmental Design Research Association
  • ICCROM
  • ICOMOS
  • Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts
  • National Center for Preservation Training and Technology
  • National Council on Public History
  • National Park Service, Heritage Preservation Service
  • National Park Service, Technical Preservation Services
  • National Trust for Historic Preservation
  • Preservation Action
  • Society for American Archaeology
  • Society of American Archivists
  • Society of Architectural Historians
  • Society for Historical Archaeology
  • Southeast Society of Architectural Historians
  • US/ICOMOS
  • Vernacular Architecture Forum