M.S. in Historic Preservation

The Master of Science in Historic Preservation (MSHP) Tulane School of Architecture and Built Enviroment

Preserve. Reinvest. Revitalize

New Orleans is the place to experience the history of preservation and contemporary preservation practice. The rich history and culture of the city, as seen through its architecture and extraordinary tri-lingual historical archives, create an immersive learning experience. The remarkably well-endowed built environment of New Orleans offers an ideal training ground for learning about past preservation efforts, including influential law and precedent. An international leader in cultural heritage protection, New Orleans is currently tackling globally-relevant challenges in architectural preservation associated with disaster recovery, urban revitalization, and tourism management.

Why Tulane MSHP is the Nation’s Most Impactful Preservation Program

1. Community Reinvestment & Economic Impact

Preservation is one of the most effective strategies for revitalizing neighborhoods, supporting local economies, and creating meaningful jobs. Our program empowers students to:

Stimulate small business growth through revitalized main streets
Create pathways for skilled labor in historic trades
Develop preservation-based housing and commercial reinvestment strategies
Work with community partners to leverage historic tax credits, grants, and public-private partnerships

From restoring vernacular architecture to reactivating vacant structures, students learn how preservation acts as a catalyst for both economic and social renewal.

2. Coastal Resilience Through Heritage

In the face of sea level rise, coastal land loss and intensifying storms, Tulane leads the way in climate-conscious preservation. Students engage in:

Coastal documentation and condition assessments
Resilient design and adaptation strategies for historic structures
Collaborative work with local, state, and federal partners.
The Gulf South offers a living classroom in how preservation can protect place, memory, and livelihoods from environmental threats

3. Documentation + Traditional Trades

Tulane emphasizes the foundations of fieldwork and craftsmanship. Students gain hands-on skills in:

Architectural and landscape documentation using both analog and digital tools
Conservation training in masonry, woodwork, plaster, and more
Adaptive reuse planning with community, ecological, and economic goals in mind
Our graduates are as comfortable on job sites as they are in policy meetings—ready to lead in both technical and strategic roles.

4. Planning, Policy, and Public Engagement
Preservation must be integrated into broader visions of place. Tulane students work across sectors to:

Support city planning and zoning initiatives
Collaborate with state and federal agencies on preservation policy
Lead inclusive public engagement processes that honor local voices and lived experience
Promote equitable development and underrepresented narratives in the built environment
Our partnerships with Certified Local Governments (CLGs), advocacy organizations, and tribal communities give students real-world platforms for impact.

Learning Ground: New Orleans + Beyond

Historic New Orleans

New Orleans is unmatched in its cultural depth and architectural legacy. Students benefit from:

Immersion in one of the most preservation-rich cities in the U.S.
Access to trilingual archives, diverse building traditions, and active restoration projects
Field schools, community studios, and applied research in neighborhoods actively engaging in preservation-led revitalization

Regional & Global Reach
From the Gulf South to the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia to Washington, our students learn from diverse cultural and coastal contexts. Projects include:

Post-disaster documentation and resilience planning
Field studies in rural and urban heritage preservation
International collaborations on heritage conservation

Expert Faculty. Deep Networks. Proven Success.

Our faculty are deeply embedded in the world of practice—as preservation architects, trades specialists, conservationists, planners, and scholars. Their work informs national standards,
shapes disaster response frameworks, and revitalizes communities. They bring active fieldwork and current research into every course and students benefit from close mentorship, small cohorts, and direct access to the networks that power preservation internationally.

Career Outcomes That Matter
Tulane MSHP graduates are sought after for their strong foundation in preservation theory and practice, their deep field experience, and their ability to work collaboratively across sectors. Our alumni are advancing preservation in diverse roles, including:

Planning and development offices
Restoration and design firms
Historic preservation divisions at FEMA, HUD, and SHPOs
Neighborhood revitalization initiatives
Cultural resource and disaster recovery consultancies
Traditional building trades and training programs
Museums and heritage tourism organizations
Nonprofit organizations and land trusts
Policy and advocacy groups

Tulane MSHP: The Future of Preservation Starts Here

Tulane’s MSHP program is the only graduate preservation program in the country that centers coastal resilience, an understanding of historic trades, and community reinvestment in a city that lives and breathes historic preservation. Our graduates don’t just preserve buildings—they lead change, shape policy, empower communities, and create economic opportunity.