Find a Progam
While not a comprehensive list of conservation graduate programs in North America, the members of ANAGPIC (Association of North American Graduate Programs) that grant a master's degree are:
Find a Progam
While not a comprehensive list of conservation graduate programs in North America, the members of ANAGPIC (Association of North American Graduate Programs) that grant a master's degree are:
Institution |
Location |
Degree |
Length |
Buffalo State College |
Buffalo, NY |
- M.A. in Art Conservation with a certificate of advanced study in art conservation
|
3 years |
Columbia University |
New York, NY |
- M.S. in Historic Preservation with a conservation concentration
|
2 years
|
NYU / IFA |
New York, NY |
- M.S. in the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works and - M.A. in the History of Art and Archaeology
|
4 years |
Queen’s University |
Kingston, Ontario, Canada |
|
2 years |
UCLA/Getty |
Los Angeles, CA |
- M.A. in Conservation of Archaeological and Ethnographic Materials
- Ph.D. in the Conservation of Material Culture
|
3 / 4+ years |
University of Pennsylvania |
Philadelphia, PA |
- M.S. in Historic Preservation and Advanced Certificate in Architectural Conservation
|
2.5 years |
Winterthur/ University of Delaware |
Winterthur, DE |
- M.S. in Art Conservation
- Ph.D. in Conservation Research & Historic Preservation
|
3 / 4+ years |
There is currently no organization that maintains a complete and up-to-date directory of conservation graduate programs either in North America or internationally, however, Conservation Online (CoOL) provides a more extensive list of conservation programs across the globe.
Academic Experience
Each of the North American graduate programs in conservation requires students to complete coursework in: materials science, advanced documentation techniques, historic and modern production technologies, conservation ethics, treatment methodologies and materials. The academic year of a conservation graduate program is a full-time experience, requiring the completion of independent and group research and writing projects, scientific lab work, and conservation treatment. In the penultimate year of study, graduate students typically produce one or two original research papers, often centering on the technical study of an artwork, an in-depth treatment project, the art historical context of an artwork, or an examination of conservation theory and practice. Course requirements and structure vary among the programs; in-depth information is available on each program’s website listed below.
In addition to rigorous coursework, students are expected to pursue supplemental experiences during breaks in the academic year, often completing winter workshops and summer internships that offer treatment experience and opportunities to become familiar with a wide range of collection types and work settings. Most of the programs also require a final year-long internship, allowing the student to be mentored as a staff member.
What's Next?
After graduation, new conservators may find employment in a collecting institution, regional center, or private practice. Many continue their education by applying for institution-sponsored fellowships. Search our Career Center for opportunities.