Master of Historic Preservation

The Master of Historic Preservation (MHP) program promotes interdisciplinary thinking and active problem solving through research, documentation, conservation, and management of historic resources. Drawing from the disciplines housed within the College of Design, Construction and Planning, as well as other units across campus, Historic Preservation coursework addresses heritage at different scales (cultural landscapes, neighborhoods, architecture, interiors, and materials and building technologies) and presents a range of issues impacting the preservation of historic places including economic, legal, and sustainable practices, among others.  Both the tangible (physical) and intangible (cultural) realms of heritage are explored.

This program is open to students with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited university. While experience and/or education in design/planning fields, technology, or history are useful, it is not mandatory for entering the program.

The University of Florida Master of Historic Preservation degree encompasses an interdisciplinary study of the basic and applied skills in historic preservation, anthropology, archeology, architecture, building construction, cultural tourism, history, interior design, landscape architecture, museum studies, and urban and regional planning.

Historic preservation problems are fundamentally human as well as physical problems and should be understood in terms of human motivations and actions in as well as technical, legal and historical solutions. To this end, the graduate program provides advanced training in theories and methodologies of the historic preservation, and cultural conservation movements in the US and internationally. Programs are designed to foster integrative approaches to complex real-world problems.

The coursework totals 42 hours. A written thesis or research project meeting Graduate Requirements relating to historic preservation is required.

Application Materials

Please note: The GRE is not required for the Master of Historic Preservation application. International students are still required to take the TOEFL or IELTS. 

Please submit all application materials directly to the University of Florida’s Office of Admissions portal (https://admissions.ufl.edu). Do not send any materials directly to the Historic Preservation Program. The following materials must be submitted in order to be considered a complete application for review:

You can apply using the UF Graduate Admissions portal. There is a non-refundable application fee (amount determined and fee assessed by the Office of Admissions).

Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded and used for admissions purposes so long as they note (1) degree conferral date, (2) course list and grades earned, and (3) cumulative GPA. The university will require official transcripts upon your acceptance of an offer of admission.

Minimum GPA: 3.0 on a 4-point scale, for upper division coursework

Please note: The university requires applicants for graduate study to compute their upper-division (i.e. junior and senior year) grade point average, unless your institution uses a non-traditional grading system. The university requires an accurate self-reported GPA, which it will verify.  Providing an accurate self-reported GPA will help to expedite the processing of your application. The university provides a worksheet explaining how to calculate upper-division GPA.

Our students are diverse in thought, background, and experience. Each student’s path to graduate school is unique. We want to learn more about your decision to pursue a Master of Historic Preservation degree at the University of Florida, and to choose preservation as a career.
Your personal statement should include, but not be limited to, your:

  • personal background,
  • life experiences, opportunities, and challenges that provide context for your motivations to become a preservationist,
  • leadership skills and experiences, and values.

If any unanticipated experiences have negatively affected your academic career, please explain them so that we can review your academic record in the context of these experiences.

Before preparing your Statement of Intent, review our website. We encourage you to refer to our program in relationship to your interests in your response.
Please take care to properly attribute any content from another source. Your Statement of Intent should be original work. Plagiarism is grounds for rejecting an application.

  • Your Statement of Intent should address each of the following questions:
    • Why are you interested in historic preservation as a professional field? Include any personal background information that relates to professional, volunteer, or internship experiences that have prepared you for this field of study as well as your research interests and career aspirations.
    • How will UF’s Historic Preservation program help you meet your professional goals?How will your interests may fall within our core focus areas?
    • What are you most interested in doing during the course of your studies?
    • What are your expectations of UF’s Historic Preservation program?

Highlight relevant academic achievements, professional experiences, and accolades.

Arrange for three recommenders to submit letters of recommendation on your behalf. The recommenders should sign their letters and submit them directly to your application using the CollegeNET email link.

Letters of recommendation should be addressed to the attention of the UF Historic Preservation Program Admissions Committee.

Your recommenders should be qualified to evaluate your academic achievements, skills and abilities, and/or professional qualifications. If you are currently employed, and plan to remain employed during your program, it is strongly recommended that a current supervisor or employer submit a letter of recommendation.

Letters of recommendation from family members and friends will not be accepted.

If you have received your undergraduate or graduate degree within the last three years, at least two of the three letters should be academic references. If you have been out of school for longer than three years, and you are unable to contact former professors, letters from other individuals who can address your achievement and potential would be appropriate.

  • Professional recommenders must:
    • be or have been a supervisor or otherwise in a capacity to objectively assess your professional abilities, contributions, skills, and achievements;
    • not be a colleague or subordinate;
    • know you or your work well; and
    • not offer a personal reference.
  • The content of the letters should:
    • speak to your academic achievement;
    • present your strengths, interests, abilities, interpersonal skills, and vision for the future;
    • evaluate your potential for success in our program; and
    • explain and provide context for professional experience.

Scholarships and Fellowships
Students have the opportunity to be awarded scholarships and fellowships once they are in the program. Faculty select the awardees based on need and academic performance.

If you are interested in receiving a graduate assistantship, it is strongly recommended that you submit examples of your work, such as:

  • A portfolio of previous academic or professional work samples
  • A description of community service or engagement experience
  • A description of professional work experience
  • International transcripts have additional requirements that must be followed for each international institution. International applicants must submit to the Office of Admissions:
    • Transcripts: The university has additional requirements for international transcripts. International applicants must submit to the Office of Admissions an official copy in the native language of each transcript, a mark sheet, and a diploma/degree certificate from each university or college attended, along with certified, literal (exact) English translations for documents not originally issued in English.
    • TOEFL or IELTS scores: See the Graduate School admissions page for additional information on English proficiency requirements.
    • Financial certification: The university requires financial certification only upon your acceptance of our offer of admission.

Application Deadlines

Applications must be submitted by the deadlines below. The Historic Preservation Program only accepts students for the upcoming Fall semester due to course sequencing. The option to start Summer C is available only if participating in the Preservation Institute Nantucket (PIN), which requires an additional, internal application submitted directly to the Historic Preservation Program.
Only complete applications will be reviewed. All materials must be received by the below deadlines, including: a resume, all transcripts, all written statements, all letters of recommendation, and, if applicable: all english proficiency test scores and translated documents.

Fall 2023


First Deadline: February 1
Final Deadline: June 30

What is the Process for Admissions?
The Office of Admissions forwards complete application packages to the Historic Preservation Program. A departmental admissions committee comprised of UF Historic Preservation faculty and staff reviews all applications.

Applicants are invited to video or telephone interviews with the Historic Preservation Director.

The admissions committee makes a recommendation and forwards it to the Office of Admissions for final processing. Upon final clearance from the Office of Admissions, we issue a decision letter to the applicant.

How Are Students Selected?
We will consider your application holistically. In addition to a strong academic background, we look for students who demonstrate their commitment to preservation and community engagement through work, volunteer, or internship experiences. Successful students are also able to clearly communicate their motivations for pursuing a Master of Historic Preservation at the University of Florida. Lastly, we look for maturity and a willingness to learn- our goal is to use our expertise to train you as a professional.

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