Two people stand in front of a tripod camera in a grassy field near an old, weathered building with peeling paint and boarded windows, under a blue sky with light clouds.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
HOW TO APPLY

Historic preservation seeks to find effective and artful ways of maintaining and reusing significant buildings, landscapes, and communities. Central to the discipline is the attempt to preserve cultural identity in the face of the threats of urban sprawl and loss of social diversity.

The Historic Preservation Program at The University of Texas at Austin exposes students to multiple fields in the discipline of historic preservation—architectural conservation and documentation, historic site management, and preservation planning and development. The coursework is practical, technical, and theoretical in scope, encompassing the study of history, research techniques, materials conservation, documentation and interpretation of historic resources, restoration methodologies, and sensitive design for adaptive reuse.

Students explore a wide array of historic properties, from rural vernacular sites to significant works of the Modern Movement, from interior furnishings and buildings to landscapes and urban centers. The special emphasis of the program is on works of the later nineteenth and twentieth centuries, especially on examples of Modernism. International travel is strongly supported by the program. Recent students have studied in Italy, Mexico, Turkey, and Ukraine, and there are also programs currently under development in China, France, and the Dominican Republic.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Cover of PLATFORM magazine featuring a watercolor-style illustration of ancient ruins and two small human figures; text reads “Preservation in the Americas: Finding Our Shared History.”.

Preservation in the Americas—Finding Our Shared History

A stone castle-like structure sits on a grassy hillside surrounded by desert plants, with a few modern buildings and cars in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Work with the National Park Service

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Historic preservation

DEGREES + PROGRAMS

The Historic Preservation Program at the University of Texas as Austin offers a graduate-level degree program and a doctoral-level degree in Historic Preservation, which can be achieved through the lens of Architecture or Community & Regional Planning.     

GRADUATE PH.D. 

Master of Science in Historic Preservation

Ph.D. in Historic Preservation

HISTORIC PRESERVATION NEWS

HISTORIC PRESERVATION STUDENTS IN ACTION

Four people sit on rocks overlooking ancient stone terraces and ruins in a dry, sunny landscape with scattered trees and cacti. Two are writing or drawing, and all appear to be observing the surroundings.
Three people are standing outside a stone building on a sunny day, each sketching or writing on clipboards. They are surrounded by stone walls and natural vegetation, with a clear blue sky in the background.
A group of about 25 people poses and smiles outdoors in front of a yellow building and arched gate on a sunny day, with a grassy area and potted flowers in the foreground.
A woman adjusts a large camera on a tripod outdoors, standing on a small table for height. She wears a purple shirt and black shorts. Another person stands behind her and a third person is kneeling nearby among grass and plants.
Three people, smiling and posing on railroad tracks, stand in front of an old, abandoned stone building under a partly cloudy sky with hills in the background.
A large, arched stained glass window on a brick building is severely damaged, with most panes broken or missing and plywood covering gaps. Remaining fragments show hints of figures and color. Charring and burnt debris are visible.
Two people measure the length of a stone building wall using a tape measure. One person stands holding the tape, while the other kneels by the window, pulling the tape across the rough stone exterior. Grass grows nearby.
A person’s hands assemble a detailed model of a vaulted architectural structure made from interlocking pieces on a wooden table, with a mirror placed underneath the model.
A young woman adjusts a large-format wooden camera on a tripod outdoors, while two other people watch and smile. The group is standing on a sunny pathway with greenery and buildings in the background.
A group of students gather in a shaded stone corridor with arched openings, some sitting on benches or the ground, others standing, all reading, writing, or talking. The scene conveys a casual, social learning environment.
A group of people pose and smile for a photo on green grass in front of an old stone church with twin bell towers under a partly cloudy sky.
A group of ten people stand smiling on a rocky pathway at the entrance of a large cave, with uneven stone walls and a dark cave opening behind them. Some wear casual clothes, glasses, or hats.
Three people work outside a stone building; one measures stone blocks with a tape measure, another observes, and a third person records notes on a clipboard in bright sunlight.
A person in a hat and blue jacket sketches or writes in a notebook while standing on a stone path by a rustic stone house, surrounded by desert plants under a clear sky.
A group of people stands outside a rustic log cabin with a wooden roof, surrounded by trees and grass on a sunny day.
A group of eleven people pose and smile together outside a stone building; some sit on a wooden picnic table, while others stand or sit on stone steps, making a hand gesture with raised index and pinky fingers.
Four people stand outside by a stone building, gathered around a survey tripod with a mounted device. One woman points at the equipment while others watch and discuss. Grass and trees are visible in the courtyard.
Two women measure the height of a window using a tape measure. One woman holds the tape at the top of the window while the other writes notes and sketches on a clipboard. Sunlight shines through the window.
Two people work on the exterior of a stone building; one stands on a ladder reaching up, while the other stands nearby, surrounded by desert plants under a clear blue sky.

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  • Instagram Post
    In 1975, Dean Charles Burnette made four significant hires: Michael Benedikt, Larry Doll, Michael Garrison and Larry Speck. To celebrate their 50th work anniversary, we interviewed Larry Speck and Michael Garrison. <br>
    @utsoa

    In 1975, Dean Charles Burnette made four significant hires: Michael Benedikt, Larry Doll, Michael Garrison and Larry Speck. To celebrate their 50th work anniversary, we interviewed Larry Speck and Michael Garrison.

  • Instagram Post
    You did it! Congratulations to our students on successful Final Reviews. 👏 <br>
    @utsoa

    You did it! Congratulations to our students on successful Final Reviews. 👏

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    The countdown is ON! On Saturday, May 9, we celebrate our students at commencement. We are *so proud* of your hard work and dedication. We can't wait to see you walk the stage! 🥹 <br>
    @utsoa

    The countdown is ON! On Saturday, May 9, we celebrate our students at commencement. We are *so proud* of your hard work and dedication. We can't wait to see you walk the stage! 🥹

  • Instagram Post
    On Friday, May 1, we invite you to attend the 2026 End Of Year Show, INDEX. The exhibition is designed by Jeremy Atticus Smith (M.Arch) and Evan Altenburg (M.Arch). The event features a student awards portion as well. <br>
    @utsoa

    On Friday, May 1, we invite you to attend the 2026 End Of Year Show, INDEX. The exhibition is designed by Jeremy Atticus Smith (M.Arch) and Evan Altenburg (M.Arch). The event features a student awards portion as well.

  • Instagram Post
    To conclude the Landscape First Essay Series, we interviewed university architect Brent Stringfellow (@utaustinarchitect). Together with Stringfellow, we explore the inner workings of our Austin campus and share aspirations for the future Campus Master Plan.<br>
    @utsoa

    To conclude the Landscape First Essay Series, we interviewed university architect Brent Stringfellow (@utaustinarchitect). Together with Stringfellow, we explore the inner workings of our Austin campus and share aspirations for the future Campus Master Plan.

  • Instagram Post
    For the sixth consecutive year, our interior design students have been recognized on the Metropolis Magazine (@metropolismag) Future100 list. Congratulations to Fatemeh Shahvazian (MID I), Yuzheng Gan (MID II), and Brianna Cartagena (BSID)! Join us in recognizing this impressive achievement!
    @utsoa

    For the sixth consecutive year, our interior design students have been recognized on the Metropolis Magazine (@metropolismag) Future100 list. Congratulations to Fatemeh Shahvazian (MID I), Yuzheng Gan (MID II), and Brianna Cartagena (BSID)! Join us in recognizing this impressive achievement!

  • Instagram Post
    Scenes from Andy Bako's (@ab.ad.co) exhibition "BUNDLE UP!" <br />On display through May 8!
    @utsoa

    Scenes from Andy Bako's (@ab.ad.co) exhibition "BUNDLE UP!"
    On display through May 8!

  • Instagram Post
    Congratulations to our students for WINNING the national ULI Hines Student Competition in urban design! 🥇 <br>
    @utsoa

    Congratulations to our students for WINNING the national ULI Hines Student Competition in urban design! 🥇

  • Instagram Post
    On April 6, Visiting Professor Emiliano López Matas (@lopezriveraarquitectes) joins us for his lecture, “How We Choose to Live.” <br><br>Their work spans multiple scales, with a strong focus on housing, climate, and the relationship between how we build and how we live. <br>
    @utsoa

    On April 6, Visiting Professor Emiliano López Matas (@lopezriveraarquitectes) joins us for his lecture, “How We Choose to Live.”

    Their work spans multiple scales, with a strong focus on housing, climate, and the relationship between how we build and how we live.