Community Planning and Historic Preservation (CPHP)

Graduate Degree Program
School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation

Abstract

The dual degree combines course work from the Historic Preservation and Urban Studies and Planning programs to enable a student to complete both the Master of Historic Preservation and Master of Community Planning degrees with fewer credits than it would take to complete the two separately.

Students of the dual-degree program are ideally prepared to practice at the intersection of planning and preservation, disciplines that have long had close ties. For example, the Maryland Historical Trust, Maryland's State Historic Preservation Office is housed with the state's planning department. Similarly, preservation is imbedded in the planning offices in Baltimore City, and county's such as Prince Georges and Montgomery. Graduates of this program are prepared to practice in either discipline (a strength in times of economic recession) and, more importantly, are able to bring their special knowledge and understanding to preservation planning issues in communities across the state and nation.

Review a sample graduation plan here.

Financial Assistance

The School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation offers a limited and varying number of teaching and research assistantships, scholarships, fellowships, and internships. Applicants should apply for financial assistance when submitting the application for admission.

Scholarship determinations are made at the time of application and admission. Scholarships are generally awarded on a per course basis and commitments are made at the time of admission and apply to the entire program, subject to academic performance. Periodically there are named scholarships provided by various organizations or companies.

In addition, there are work opportunities both on, and off campus, and they are relatively plentiful. However, students in the dual degree program may find it difficult to complete their degree requirements timely if they are working off campus, or more than 10 hours per week.

Applicants should inquire as to the availability of funding for the term they are starting.

Contact 

Find additional information on program offerings, degree requirements, admissions, and financial aid on the School’s Web site (www.arch.umd.edu). Schedule a visit and tour online at: http://arch.umd.edu/arch/prospective-students-arch. 

Clara E Irazábal Zurita, Arch., M.Sc., M.Arch., Ph.D.
Professor and Program Director
Urban Studies and Planning Program
School of Architecture, Planning, & Preservation
1244 Architecture Building
3835 Campus Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.6290
Email: irazabal@umd.edu

Susan Kern, Ph.D.
Director
Historic Preservation Program
School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation

Delaney West
Program Coordinator
Historic Preservation Program
School of Architecture, Planning & Preservation

1200 Architecture Building
3835 Campus Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.8000
Fax: 301.314.9583
Email: hisp@umd.edu

Website: http://www.arch.umd.edu

Relationships: Architecture (ARCH)  Real Estate Development (MPRE)

Courses: URSP HISP

General Requirements

• Statement of Purpose: In addition to the stated requirements, students should discuss specific interest in pursuing a concurrent dual degree within two programs.
• Transcript(s)
• TOEFL/IELTS/PTE (international graduate students)

Program-Specific Requirements

• Letters of Recommendation (3)
• CV/Resume
• Writing Sample (one required, up to two more optional): A writing sample of at least 10-30 pages. This can be previous individual academic or professional work. It does not necessarily have to be related to historic preservation or community planning, however a related topic is preferred. The writing sample should demonstrate the ability to analyze a problem/question and clearly communicate your findings. Upload to the Writing Sample section of the Uploads Requirements page in the online application.
• Portfolio PDF Upload (optional)
• Description of Research/Work Experience (optional)
• Must be admitted by both programs to pursue dual degree.

The administrative code for the dual degree of Master of Community Planning and Master of Historic Preservation is "CPHP." Applicants must be admitted by both programs to pursue this dual degree but only one application is required.

Application Deadlines

RESOURCES AND LINKS:

Program Website: http://www.arch.umd.edu
Application Process: gradschool.umd.edu/admissions

The School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation is ideally located between Washington, DC, and Baltimore and surrounded by a number of historic communities and a varied physical environment. The resulting opportunity for community planning and historic preservation is unsurpassed.

The School’s library contains some 57,000 monographs and 6,000 current periodicals, making it one of the major architectural libraries in the nation. The National Trust Library for Historic Preservation, housed in McKeldin Library, contains 11,000 volumes and 450 periodical titles. This Library is one of the leading scholarly resources for preservation in the country.

The Colvin Institute holds the entire library offerings of the Urban Land Institute and access to all the case studies published by ULI. The interdisciplinary National Center for Smart Growth Education and Research is based in the School offering perspectives and opportunities to engage important issues facing urban and regional planning as well as historic preservation.

The program is further strengthened by close working relationships with the Maryland Historical Trust, the National Park Service, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Historic Annapolis, Inc., Preservation Maryland, Prince George’s Heritage, the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area, and others. Practical experience can be gained through a variety of internship opportunities with these organizations and many others.