Historic Preservation Professional Development Program

Certificate Program

As America’s cities age and expand into the twenty-first century, the preservation of urban and rural spaces and places becomes an issue not only of maintaining ties to the nation’s past but also safeguarding its resources in the present and future. Historic preservation allows people to create a useable past, whether by working with individual homes or entire towns. It informs them about their community and allows them to forge connections with pieces of its landscape that are often neglected or taken for granted, like public buildings, green spaces, transportation systems, and houses of worship.

The Chicagoland area marks one of the architectural centers of the United States and an excellent jumping off point for individuals who want to study the principals and practicalities of historic preservation. The area is widely known for its architectural innovation and appreciation. The preservation of Chicago's historic buildings and sites has become a major imperative for numerous local organizations. Its historic neighborhoods, skyscrapers, parks and gardens can serve as design templates and inspiration for people interested in historic preservation from throughout the region.

The Historic Preservation program at the School of Continuing Studies offers courses that cover the ideas and actions behind both agricultural and architectural historic preservation in the Chicagoland area and beyond.

Learning Goals

Students in the Historic Preservation Certificate Program will have the opportunity to learn:

• The theory and practice of Historic Preservation, including issues and public policy, terminology, the national historic preservation movement, the Secretary of Interior's Standards, and National and State Register Programs
• Conservation issues involving historic building materials and technology including materials used locally, changes in technology that affected building construction and architectural expression, and current challenges and solutions related to replication and replacement of historic building materials
• Legal protection and financial incentives involving preservation law; federal, state and local statutes and ordinances; tax benefits and easements; and policy implications relating to personal property rights and the ethic of conservation
• The process of documenting historic properties

Program Audience

The series is designed for anyone interested in the field of preservation, personally or professionally. This may include members of local historic preservation commissions, volunteers at historic sites, owners of old or historic buildings, town planners, attorneys and engineers as well as estate professionals, facilities managers, architects, developers, and contractors, in addition to designers and artisans in the construction field.

All historic preservation courses provide AIA members with 15 continuing education units.

Program Requirements

Students must complete any four of the seven available courses. The Introduction to Historic Preservation course is recommended but not required.

The courses available are:

• Introduction to Historic Preservation
• Legal Protection and Financial Incentives for Historic Properties
• Documenting Historic Properties
• Introduction to Historic Building Materials and Technology
• Preservation of Historic Landscapes and Gardens
• A Cultural and Architectural History of Chicago's Neighborhoods
• History of Residential Interiors (this course may also be counted toward a certificate in Connoisseurship of Fine and Decorative Art)

Northwestern Excellence

• Northwestern University is a preeminent university recognized internationally as a hallmark of academic excellence.
• School of Continuing Studies programs provide students with exceptional opportunities for intellectual, professional and personal growth.
• SCS instructors bring outstanding academic credentials and relevant professional experience to the classroom to create a highly interactive, collaborative, and challenging learning environment.
• SCS students study with peers who have rich, diverse backgrounds and can provide lifelong learning connections.

Course Information

Registration information and detailed course descriptions can be found on the course listings page. Schedules, content and prices are subject to change.