Roger Williams University

What you'll study

The programme surveys architectural history from antiquity to the present, pairs critical approaches to design and urbanism with practical conservation techniques, and emphasises cross-disciplinary research. You will study how buildings and landscapes convey cultural meaning, how they are documented and assessed, and the ethics and methods of preserving built heritage.

• Core subjects: architectural history chronologies, theories of criticism, historiography and research methods.
• Conservation and material culture: building materials and technology, condition assessment, conservation ethics, basic conservation treatments and maintenance strategies.
• Documentation and analysis: measured drawing, architectural photography, archival research, digital documentation including 3D scanning and GIS for heritage sites.
• Design and context: context-sensitive design, adaptive reuse, urban history, landscape and cultural landscapes.
• Specialist electives: vernacular architecture, industrial heritage, museum practice, heritage law and policy, community-engaged heritage projects.
• Research and practice: a capstone research project or practicum in partnership with local preservation organisations, museums, or municipal historic commissions.

Programme structure typically combines lecture courses, seminars, hands-on conservation labs, fieldwork in the region, and a supervised research or practicum component that demonstrates applied skills in documentation, assessment and interpretation of heritage assets.

Entry requirements

Successful applicants normally present a high-school diploma or equivalent with a strong record in humanities and social sciences; coursework in history, art history, geography or visual arts is advantageous. Admissions often consider a portfolio that can include research papers, sketches or photographic work demonstrating observational and analytical skills, although the exact portfolio expectations should be confirmed with the admissions office. Applicants whose first language is not English will need to demonstrate proficiency through recognised English language tests or approved institutional alternatives.

Transfer students are assessed on college-level credit and relevance to the programme; prospective students with practical experience in historic sites or museums are encouraged to highlight that experience in their applications.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for careers across the heritage and built-environment sectors. Typical destinations include:

• Historic preservation and conservation practice with public agencies, non-profits, and private consultancies.
• Museum curation, collections management and interpretation roles that engage with built heritage and material culture.
• Urban planning, cultural resource management and heritage policy roles at municipal, state or national levels.
• Documentation and digital heritage roles using GIS, 3D modelling and archival research for conservation projects.
• Further study at graduate level in historic preservation, architectural history, museum studies or related disciplines leading to research and academic careers.

Why study at Roger Williams University

Roger Williams University’s programme is housed within a school that integrates architecture, art and historic preservation, allowing students to work across studio, laboratory and archival settings. The university’s location in Rhode Island offers rich regional opportunities for fieldwork, partnerships with local preservation organisations, historic houses, museums and coastal communities with varied architectural traditions.

Students benefit from small class sizes, access to faculty engaged in applied conservation research, and practicum and internship pathways with nearby cultural institutions. The curriculum emphasises hands-on skills, critical thinking and community engagement, preparing graduates to work practically and ethically with historic places and their communities.