Best Historic Preservation Degrees in Savannah Georgia

Key Takeaways

• Savannah, Georgia is one of the most significant historic cities in the United States, offering unmatched real-world preservation experience.
• The top programs include Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah Technical College, and nearby University of Georgia options.
• Degrees range from associate to master’s level, with strengths in architectural history, restoration technology, and heritage conservation.
• Hands-on training in Savannah’s 22 historic squares provides direct access to nationally recognized preservation projects.
• Graduates pursue careers in historic restoration, cultural resource management, preservation planning, and architectural conservation.

Why Study Historic Preservation in Savannah?

Savannah is widely regarded as one of America’s most architecturally significant cities. With more than 20 city squares, thousands of preserved 18th and 19th century buildings, and one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the United States, it functions as a living laboratory for preservation students.

Organizations like the Historic Savannah Foundation and oversight from the National Park Service contribute to a strong professional ecosystem. Students gain access to internships, community restoration initiatives, and policy-driven preservation work rarely available in other cities.

Choosing Savannah for a historic preservation degree means studying preservation where it actively shapes economic development and tourism.

How We Evaluated the Best Programs

Programs were evaluated using the following criteria:

• Academic Reputation and Accreditation
• Hands-on Restoration Opportunities
• Degree Levels Offered
• Faculty Expertise in Preservation and Architectural History
• Career Placement and Industry Alignment
• Access to Savannah’s Historic District for Experiential Learning

Top Historic Preservation Degree Programs in Savannah, Georgia

1. Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)

SCAD offers one of the most recognized preservation-focused programs in the Southeast through its undergraduate and graduate offerings tied to architecture, architectural history, and preservation design.

Degree Options:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architectural History
• Master of Arts in Architectural History
• Related preservation coursework within architecture programs

Program Strengths:

• Studio-based preservation design training
• Access to SCAD’s preservation projects involving adaptive reuse
• Strong focus on design technology and heritage sustainability
• International preservation perspective alongside regional training

SCAD students frequently work on restoration and adaptive reuse projects in Savannah’s historic district. The institution itself has restored dozens of historic buildings for academic use, giving students direct exposure to applied preservation.

Best For: Students seeking a design-driven preservation education with strong creative integration.

2. Savannah Technical College

Savannah Technical College offers career-focused training aligned with construction technology and restoration techniques.

Degree Options:

• Associate degrees in related construction and technical fields
• Certificate programs supporting building restoration skills

Program Strengths:

• Hands-on technical training
• Workforce development focus
• Cost-effective tuition compared to private institutions
• Strong link to regional contractors and restoration firms

This pathway is ideal for students interested in becoming preservation technicians, contractors, or skilled restoration specialists.

Best For: Students seeking affordable, workforce-ready training in restoration trades.

3. University of Georgia (Nearby Option)

While based in Athens, the University of Georgia College of Environment and Design offers highly regarded programs connected to historic preservation and cultural landscape management.

Degree Options:

• Master of Historic Preservation (MHP)
• Master of Landscape Architecture with preservation emphasis

Program Strengths:

• Nationally respected preservation planning curriculum
• Policy and regulatory framework training
• Research partnerships across Georgia
• Field study opportunities in Savannah

UGA’s MHP program aligns closely with guidelines from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, preparing graduates for leadership roles in planning and heritage administration.

Best For: Students seeking advanced preservation policy, planning, and leadership roles.

Program Comparison Chart

InstitutionDegree LevelFocus AreaHands-On TrainingIdeal Career PathSCADBachelor’s, Master’sArchitectural history, design preservationHighPreservation Architect, Design ConsultantSavannah Technical CollegeAssociate, CertificateRestoration trades, construction technologyVery HighRestoration Technician, ContractorUniversity of GeorgiaMaster’sPreservation planning and policyModerate to HighPreservation Planner, Cultural Resource Manager

Courses You Can Expect

Most top historic preservation programs in Savannah or nearby include coursework such as:

• Architectural History of the American South
• Preservation Law and Public Policy
• Conservation of Building Materials
• Historic Documentation Methods
• Heritage Tourism and Economic Development
• Adaptive Reuse Studio

Many programs align with federal standards from the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

Career Outcomes and Salary Expectations

Graduates of historic preservation programs in Georgia pursue roles such as:

• Historic Preservation Planner
• Architectural Historian
• Cultural Resource Manager
• Restoration Contractor
• Museum or Heritage Site Director

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, related roles such as urban planners and conservation specialists earn median annual salaries ranging from $55,000 to over $80,000, depending on experience and credentials.

Savannah’s tourism-driven economy also creates private-sector opportunities in adaptive reuse development and heritage consulting.

Internship and Networking Advantages in Savannah

One major advantage of studying here is proximity to active preservation projects. Students often secure internships with:

• Historic Savannah Foundation
• City of Savannah Preservation Department
• Local architecture and heritage consulting firms
• Regional nonprofit preservation organizations

Few U.S. cities provide daily immersion in preserved 18th and 19th century urban fabric at this scale.

Tuition and Financial Considerations

Tuition varies significantly:

• SCAD: Private tuition rates, higher investment with strong design reputation.
• Savannah Technical College: Lower in-state tuition rates, workforce-focused ROI.
• University of Georgia: Competitive public graduate tuition for Georgia residents.

Students should explore state grants, FAFSA eligibility, assistantships for graduate study, and institutional scholarships.

How to Choose the Right Program

Consider these decision factors:

• Do you want a design-intensive or policy-focused career?
• Are you pursuing graduate-level leadership roles?
• Is hands-on construction training more appealing than academic research?
• What is your budget and long-term salary goal?

Savannah offers a rare combination of academic access and real-world preservation immersion. Selecting the right program depends on whether you envision yourself drafting preservation plans, restoring historic structures, or shaping preservation policy at the municipal or national level.

Frequently Asked Questions about Historic Preservation Degrees in Savannah

What types of historic preservation degrees can you earn in Savannah?

In and around Savannah, you can earn associate degrees and certificates focused on restoration trades, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architectural history and design, and a Master of Historic Preservation. Schools such as Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah Technical College, and the University of Georgia offer these paths.

What careers can you get with a historic preservation degree from this area?

You can work as a historic preservation planner, architectural historian, cultural resource manager, restoration contractor, or heritage site manager. Related careers, such as urban and regional planners and conservation scientists, have median salaries in the $55,000–$80,000 range according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Why is Savannah a strong place to study historic preservation?

You study in one of the largest National Historic Landmark Districts in the country, surrounded by 18th and 19th century buildings and 22 historic squares. Local groups such as the Historic Savannah Foundation and guidance from the National Park Service give you access to real projects, policy work, and internships.

How do the programs differ between SCAD, Savannah Technical College, and the University of Georgia?

SCAD focuses on architectural history and design-based preservation, Savannah Technical College centers on hands-on restoration and construction skills, and the University of Georgia emphasizes preservation planning, policy, and research. Your choice depends on whether you prefer design studios, technical trades training, or graduate-level planning and leadership study.

What courses and standards are common in these historic preservation programs?

You can expect courses in architectural history, preservation law, conservation of building materials, documentation methods, and adaptive reuse. Many programs align with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, which guide best practices for preserving and rehabilitating historic buildings.