Integrated Historic Preservation Certificate

The Integrated Historic Preservation (HPres) Certificate in Architecture/Interior Architecture at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago allows candidates for the Master of Architecture and Interior Architecture to secure a certificate in Historic Preservation, based on the successful completion of five departmental courses, taken as electives in the MArch degree, and a design studio project approved by the Historic Preservation director.

The certificate includes five courses, totaling 15-credit hours, along with an external practicum, that meets the minimum standards and guidelines promulgated by the National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE), consistent with current standards for architectural education being reviewed nationwide by the American Institute of Architects' Historic Resources Committee.

Students bring their design training abilities to the service of preservation through studio projects that focus on the adaptive re-use, rehabilitation, or preservation of a historic structure or structures. In addition, students complete an internship in preservation at an architectural office or other agency. They may also enroll in a study trip.

Six Program Areas

1. Preservation Documentation
2. Materials Conservation
3. Architectural History
4. Preservation Planning
5. Design Studio Focused on Preservation
6. Preservation Practicum

The Professional Certificate in Historic Preservation is available to students in the Master of Architecture (MArch) and MArch: Interior Architecture Track programs at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC).

For admission to the certificate program, candidates:

• Interview with SAIC's Historic Preservation program director
• Submit a Statement of Purpose for review by faculty in the Historic Preservation program

Upon admission, the director and student draft and annually review a schedule for the completion of required courses and projects. The curricular components and the internship must be approved by the director of the Certificate program and by the Department of Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects program director.

The 15-credit Professional Certificate in Historic Preservation program at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) offers students in the Master of Architecture and MArch: Interior Architecture Track a working knowledge of the field of historic preservation.  

Review the Integrated Historic Preservation Certificate curriculum and requirements. Note: This is information for the current academic year. Any future curricular changes will be made when the new catalog is published.

For additional information about the program, please contact the SAIC Historic Preservation Administrative Office at 312.629.6650 or hpres@saic.edu.