Traditional Master of Arts Curriculum:
The Master of Arts in Historic Preservation was approved by the Ohio Board of Regents on April 20, 2006 as a 42 graduate credit hour degree program. The curriculum consists of six Foundation courses, which provide a firm grounding in documentation, preservation law, conservation strategies and techniques, preservation planning, and adaptive re-use. These courses blend theory and practice. Students are encouraged to complete the 18 hours of Foundation courses or their equivalents before enrolling the Capstone Sequence courses. The Capstone Sequence begins with the HIP 500/501 Methods classes and leads to the completion of a master's thesis based upon original work. The Capstone Sequence consists of 24 hours of graduate work, with some opportunity for elective courses.
Students entering the Graduate program must have adequate preparation for the work of Historic Preservation. This is demonstrated through an undergraduate degree in a related field, such as majors in Historic Preservation, History, Interior Design, Urban Studies, or similar disciplines. Accepted students who do not have adequate preparation are required to take a course in the History of Architecture and a drafting and CAD course as prerequisites. These prerequisites must be completed by the end of the first year in the program. They can be taken at the College when offered, or taken at another institution, by submitting a transcript to demonstrate that the prerequisite has been met. The prerequisite courses do not count toward the 42 credit hours to earn the Master of Arts Degree.
5-Year BA/MA Curriculum:
The Historic Preservation Program is also offered as a five-year program to Ursuline undergraduate students to earn both a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in Historic Preservation. Undergraduate students may apply to the 'bridge' program in their junior year and will be accepted if they meet the criteria for admission to the School of Graduate Studies. These students will take the 18 Fore courses as part of their undergraduate degree. In so doing, the 18 credit hours of Foundation course work will be waived, and students will move directly into the Capstone Sequence of 24 credit hours.
Foundation Courses
Note: Courses numbered 400 designate the undergraduate curriculum; courses numbered 500 or 600 designate the graduate curriculum
HIP 425/525 Documentation (3)
The goal of this class is to acquaint students with survey techniques such as architectural photography, use of primary sources and archives, and documentation. Architectural, interior, furniture, and decorative art styles are researched, analyzed, and recorded. Upon completion, students will have a completed survey which will be transferred to video format for future reference.
HIP 450/550 Issues in Historic Preservation (3)
Topics introduced in HIP 125 will be explored in greater depth. Students will develop an understanding of the private vs. public sector and profit vs. non-profit. Expected outcome include knowledge of survey techniques, documentation, Secretary of the Interior Standards, finance, and career opportunities.
HIP 455/555 Preservation Law (3)
This lecture/discussion course covers the history, theory, and practice of preserving historic resources by law. Students will analyze and understand significant national, state, and local preservation law, legal strategies for protecting historic sites and districts, building codes and finance, and preservation case law. Students examine the fundamentals of legal protection for and regulation of historic cultural resources. Preservation is addressed in light of political systems that shape contemporary attitudes toward the historic environment.
HIP 460/560 Conservation (3)
This lecture/discussion/studio course covers the identification, conservation, and restoration of historic building materials (wood, stone, brick, concrete, steel) plus architectural, furniture, and decorative arts finishes (paints, varnishes, glazes, gilding, plating, coatings, etc.) their history (especially in America), and their components and applications. Appropriate conservation strategies and techniques are demonstrated. Students participate in discussions on the ethics and philosophy of surface conservation.
HIP 465/565 Preservation Planning (3)
This lecture/discussion course examines practical and philosophical issues in planning for preservation and the methods for implementation. Among the topics included are preservation surveys and ordinances, zoning and building codes, historical district and landmark designation, design review, preservation agencies (local, state, and national) and their roles, preservation economics and incentives, public relations, and interpretation.
HIP 470/570 Adaptive Use (3)
This studio course presents specific historic sites in need of rehabilitation for continued use. Students are responsible for researching a site, conducting feasibility studies, and generating design criteria goals and solutions. Particular emphasis is given to the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Rehabilitation of Historic Structures. Students combine design and drawing skills with technical knowledge in order to solve problems in creative, appropriate, and economical ways.
Capstone Sequence
MAHIP 500 Methods I (3)
Students learn methods of cultural and historical research, writing, photography, and surveying. They develop the analytic and writing skills needed in historic preservation.
MAHIP 501 Methods II (3)
This is a seminar on selecting, researching, analyzing, designing, organizing, and writing the Historic Preservation thesis. Students learn how to research and select their thesis topic; prepare an outline, abstract, and bibliography; and defend their thesis topic before a faculty panel. They select their readers, and begin preliminary research for the thesis writing.
MAHIP 502 Grant Writing (3)
Student will write a proposal for a grant in Historic Preservation. The grant with complete budgetary information and time frame must be submitted to a foundation or agency, considered, and be worthy of being funded in order to receive credit. Although most of the work will be independent, there will be a series of classroom meetings.
MAHIP 504 Survey and Nomination (3)
The student will prepare a survey and nomination of an historic property for submission to a State or National agency. The nomination must be accepted or worthy of being accepted in order to receive credit. Although most of the work will be independent, there will be a series of classroom meetings.
MAHIP 600 Thesis (3) or MAHIP 589 Foundations of Historic Preservation (3)
This course is an introduction and overview examining the history, theory, methodology and practice of historic preservation. Graduate candidates will begin with a survey of architectural history, and then learn to identify and recognize historic structures. Student learn how historic significance is determined, types of government programs that support historic preservation, and economic incentives in historic preservation.
MAHIP 601 Thesis (3)
With guidance from advisor and committee of readers, student will independently research and write an original thesis using primary materials. The thesis builds on the specific student work from the courses in Methods II, Grant Writing and Survey and Nomination.
Electives (6)
Elective offerings may vary from year to year, including: History of Architecture; Historic American Building Survey (HABS); Historic Interior Objects; Sacred Landmarks, and independent research projects.
