Bachelor of Science in Historic Preservation

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Temple University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Historic Preservation at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art and Architecture is a 122-credit, research-based program focused on cultural heritage, community-based preservation, and the application of architectural and historical knowledge to buildings and sites. It suits students interested in architectural history, preservation research, and the built environment, combining an architecture foundation with advanced preservation theory, research methods, case studies, and a capstone investigation.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students begin with Temple’s Architecture Foundations, developing visual and design skills through ARCH 1011 Visual Literacy for Architects 1, ARCH 1001 Introduction to Design and the Environment, and ARCH 1012 Visual Literacy for Architects 2. The year establishes the visual communication and environmental design foundation used throughout the degree.

Year 2: Students strengthen their architectural foundation through ARCH 2121 Foundation Architectural Design 1, ARCH 2141 Architectural History: Ancient through 17th Century, and ARCH 2151 Architecture, Technology, and the Environment, followed by ARCH 2122 Foundation Architectural Design 2 and ARCH 2142 Architectural History: 17th Century through 20th Century. This stage connects architectural design, historical development, technology, and environmental considerations.

Year 3: Students move into specialized preservation study with ARCH 3111 Introduction to Historic Preservation, ARCH 3152 Materials and Methods, and ARCH 4141 Global Preservation Practice. They also develop research capabilities through ARCH 4145 Research Methods for Historic Preservation, while ARCH 3251 Structural Analysis for Architects adds technical understanding of buildings and ARCH 3296 Movements in Modern Architecture strengthens architectural-historical knowledge.

Year 4: The final year focuses on advanced research and professional preparation through ARCH 3354 Sustainability and Architecture, ARCH 4596 Seminar in Architectural Theory, and ARCH 4199 Capstone Research Seminar for Historic Preservation. Students complete an in-depth investigation of a selected case study and apply preservation research methods to produce their culminating academic work.

Focus areas: Historic preservation, cultural heritage, community-based preservation, architectural history, archival research, building documentation, adaptive reuse, materials and methods, global preservation practice, sustainability, architectural theory, research methods, and the preservation of historic buildings and sites.

Learning outcomes: Graduates develop skills in architectural and historical research, archival and on-site investigation, documentation of historic buildings and sites, preservation analysis, research methodology, and the application of preservation principles to local, national, and international case studies.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Temple states that Tyler School of Art and Architecture’s degree programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSA); the Historic Preservation BS itself is not listed as having a dedicated NAAB accreditation, while Tyler’s Master of Architecture is NAAB-accredited.

Reputation (employability rankings): Temple University is ranked #751–760 in the QS World University Rankings 2027; QS also lists Temple’s employability among its institutional rating indicators, but a program-specific Historic Preservation employability ranking is not stated in the official Temple sources reviewed.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in Temple University’s Bachelor of Science in Historic Preservation gain practical preservation skills through original research, archival investigation, on-site study, documentation, observation, and digital visualization. The program specifically uses Philadelphia as a living setting for examining the material and cultural fabric of the built environment, while Tyler School of Art and Architecture provides dedicated group-work areas, a woodshop, digital fabrication facilities, digital labs, and architecture studios. Students also work individually and collaboratively under the guidance of architects, historians, and preservationists, building toward an in-depth capstone research investigation:

Hands-on Research: Students conduct archival and on-site investigations in the Philadelphia region, examining buildings, sites, and the cultural fabric of the built environment.
Group Projects: Students work both individually and in groups to carry out original preservation research under the guidance of architects, historians, and preservationists.
Field Investigation: ARCH 3146: Engaging Places: Observations introduces systematic methods for studying buildings and public places in Philadelphia through observation and investigation.
Preservation Techniques: ARCH 3111: Introduction to Historic Preservation introduces techniques for building preservation, including observation, recording, and intervention, as well as architectural conservation and adaptive reuse.
Research Methods: ARCH 4145: Research Methods for Historic Preservation develops research capabilities used in preservation practice and supports the program's research-focused approach.
Capstone Research: Students complete an in-depth capstone research investigation of a selected case study, applying preservation research methods to an original project.
Digital Fabrication: Dedicated digital fabrication spaces allow students to create models and develop physical representations of preservation-related ideas.
Digital Visualization: Digital lab spaces support research drawing, modeling, and digital visualization, integrating digital methods into preservation study.
3D Printing: Tyler provides 3D printers as part of its fabrication resources, supporting physical model-making and prototyping.
Laser Cutting: Laser cutters are available among Tyler's fabrication tools for precise digital-to-physical production.
CNC Tools: CNC routers provide computer-controlled fabrication capabilities within Tyler's makerspaces.
AR/VR: AR/VR design stations give students access to immersive digital design technologies within Tyler's facilities.
Architecture Woodshop: The Architecture Woodshop provides hands-on fabrication equipment and full-time technical staff who assist students with safe and effective equipment use.
Design Studios: Students have access to expansive design studios, collaboration labs, classrooms, and exhibition spaces within Tyler School of Art and Architecture.
Study Away: Historic Preservation students can participate in Temple Rome or Temple Japan study-abroad opportunities; the program notes that Historic Preservation students should generally consider the spring semester of junior year because of required fall courses.
Professional Exposure: Tyler students are exposed to practicing professionals through lectures, class visits, demonstrations, and speaker programs, while design projects, studios, workshops, firms, art centers, and collections provide opportunities for internships and related professional experiences.
Library Resources: Temple's library system supports teaching, learning, and research, with Charles Library providing dedicated collaborative and study spaces.
Digital Learning: Historic Preservation students begin working digitally in their freshman representation courses, with Temple identifying laser cutters, 3D printers, and digital fabrication machines as integral tools within its design-studio environment.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Historic Preservation prepares students for careers involving architectural history, documentation, archival research, cultural heritage, and preservation practice. Temple specifically identifies roles such as architectural historian, conservator, and historic preservation specialist, while the program also prepares graduates for further study in architecture, historic preservation, and related disciplines.

Career opportunities: Graduates can pursue roles such as architectural historian, conservator, historic preservation specialist, and preservation researcher/documentation professional.

Career development and progression include:

Tyler Career Coaching: Tyler career coaches specialize in careers across the arts and built environment, providing guidance on résumés, cover letters, interviews, and career planning.
Temple Career Center: Students receive career coaching, career assessments, job and internship resources, interview guidance, and access to career fairs and employers through Temple’s Career Center.
Architecture & Environmental Design Career Fair: Tyler hosts an annual career fair connecting students with internship and full-time opportunities across architecture and other built-environment professions.
Professional Exposure: Tyler students connect with architects, designers, scholars, and other professionals through lectures, class visits, demonstrations, speaker programs, internships, residencies, and professional-development opportunities.
Philadelphia Opportunities: Students use Philadelphia as a learning environment for archival and on-site investigations into the city’s built environment, creating direct exposure to real preservation contexts.
Employment Statistics: Temple’s official Historic Preservation page does not state a program-specific employment rate or graduate salary figure, so no unsupported percentage or salary is provided.
Salary Information: Temple does not publish a specific median salary for this BS on its official Historic Preservation career page; therefore, a program-specific salary figure is not stated.
Industry Connections: Students are guided by practicing architects, historians, and preservationists while undertaking original research and preservation investigations in the Philadelphia region.
Accreditation Value: Temple states that Tyler School of Art and Architecture’s degree programs hold institutional/programmatic accreditations including NASAD and Middle States; however, the BS in Historic Preservation itself is not listed as a NAAB-accredited professional architecture degree. Temple’s NAAB-accredited professional pathway is its Master of Architecture.
Graduation Preparation: The BS develops research, architectural and historical knowledge and prepares graduates to document historic buildings, conduct archival research, and perform aspects of architectural practice that do not require professional architectural licensure.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS in Historic Preservation, students can pursue graduate study in architecture, historic preservation, or related disciplines. Temple specifically provides pathways into its NAAB-accredited Master of Architecture, including a 3-year track for students with a bachelor’s degree in a non-pre-professional architecture program, while Tyler also offers graduate programs such as the MS in Architecture and MS in Facilities Planning.