Certificate in Historic Preservation at the University of Delaware

The Center for Historic Architectures and Design, in conjunction with the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy at the University of Delaware, offers a graduate certificate in historic preservation. The Certificate Program consists of 12 credit hours. Nine credits are required:

UAPP 629 Theory and Practice of Historic Preservation Planning (3 credits)

UAPP 630 Methods in Historic Preservation (3 credits)

UAPP 631 Documenting Historic Structures (2 credits)

UAPP 667 Introduction to Architectural Photography (1 credit)

Of the required courses, UAPP 629 and 667 are available on line [will be available as of January 2011].

In addition, students must take an additional 3 credits of electives, chosen in consultation with their advisor.

The mission of the certificate program is to introduce students to the current state of best practices and their theoretic underpinnings in preservation, to understand the historic preservation planning process from projecting need, through surveying resources and evaluating their significance, and concluding with the development of preservation policies and treatment approaches.

The methods component is organized around the National Register process from historical research, structural evaluation, determination of significance and eligibility, through developing a role in local and state preservation planning and action.

The documentation component of drawing and photography teaches basic skills in scaled, annotated field notes, measured drawings, and photography using computer techniques such as AutoCAD, GIS, and digital photography. The photography course emphasizes identifying and evaluating character-defining features and photographing them to meet survey and more in-depth documentation needs.

The certificate program is designed for three audiences.

· Individual interested in considering a master’s in historic preservation but want to test the field first. The completed Certificate Program can be applied to Master’s degree in Urban Affairs and Public Policy and Master’s of Historic Preservation.

· Those new to preservation who wish to gain an overview of the field and some specific skills in survey and documentation. This can include staff and board members of preservation advocacy groups, cultural resource management firms, and architects.

· Those practicing preservationists for whom a certificate program will update and upgrade their knowledge of current state of the field and best practices in documentation.

The HP certificate program can be completed in one academic year taking two courses in the Fall Semester (UAPP 629 and 631) and two in the Spring Semester (UAPP 630 and 667) plus electives as available.