University of Southern California | National Council on Public History

Master of Heritage Conservation

Last Updated: December 9, 2025

USC Architecture, Watt Hall

Los Angeles, CA 90089

[email protected]

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Director(s)

Trudi Sandmeier, [email protected]

Program Introduction

The Heritage Conservation Program at the University of Southern California began in 1992 as a summer course. The program created a graduate certificate in 1997, established a Master of Historic Preservation degree in 2002, and changed the program name to Heritage Conservation in 2012. Located in the School of Architecture, the program offers a Master of Heritage Conservation (MHC) degree and dual master’s degrees with architecture, landscape architecture, building science, and urban planning. The program also offers a graduate certificate and two-week short course. The MHC Program enrolls from five to ten students each year. Approximately 150 students had graduated as of December 2025, with around six graduating annually.

Degrees Offered

Other

Program Strengths

Historic Preservation
Local/Community History
Other

Credit Hour Requirements

48 for MHC (36 for advanced standing), 12 for certificate, varies for dual degrees

Full-time Program Staff/Faculty

One – as a professional degree program (not MA), most instructors are practitioners who teach as adjunct faculty.

Financial Aid Available

Assistantships (research, administrative), scholarships, connections to external fellowships, scholarships, and internships

Job Placement Assistance

We offer individual advising, notices of job openings, recommendations, networking opportunities, and introductions to leaders in the field (including our faculty).

Employers Who Have Hired Graduates from this Program within the Past Five Years