How to Apply
Master of Arts in Historic Preservation
We operate under a rolling admissions model. Therefore, please note the upcoming application deadlines below are suggested for optimal processing and enrollment time. Start dates for each program may vary based on course offerings and other factors. Please check with admissions for the next enrollment period for your intended program. Applicants who are applying to participate in residency should apply for the Summer semester or Winter semester.
Application deadlines
| Semester | Application Deadline | Enrollment Deposit Deadline | Semester Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2026 | January 6 | January 12 | January 26 |
Note: Our low residency programs do not require standardized testing, such as the GRE or GMAT, for acceptance. You may submit unofficial test scores as supplemental material, but are not required to.
Admissions Requirements
Acceptance to the program will be based on an evaluation of the applicant's work experience, essay, recommendation forms, and transcripts. To be considered for admission, an applicant must complete the following through our graduate admissions portal:
- An online application through our graduate admissions portal.
- An official sealed transcript of conferred undergraduate degree. A graduate transcript may be submitted if you
would like transfer credits to be considered. A 3.0 GPA is recommended for admittance.
If you have less than a 3.0 GPA, you may write a supplemental statement and/or meet
with the program director to discuss your situation. Electronic transcripts can be
sent to graduateadmissions@goucher.edu. Paper transcripts can be mailed from the institution to:
Graduate Admissions
Goucher College
1021 Dulaney Valley Road
Baltimore, MD 21204 - A minimum of one letter of recommendation completed by someone who knows you well enough to give an informed opinion of your intellectual ability, capacity for sustained self-directed study, personal qualifications, and professional potential. The recommendation process is completed online through the graduate admission portal.
- A current resume that outlines your experience, education, skills, and accomplishments.
- An essay answering program-specific questions. Please review Essay Requirements section.
- International students must also follow the international student admissions processes.
Dual-degree applicants should complete the admissions requirements for both programs, such as supplying a writing sample and addressing the essay questions for both programs in one essay. For more information, see the Dual Degree - How to Apply page.
Additional information
Questions? Contact graduateadmissions@goucher.edu for program or application queries.
Applicants will know their admissions status within 3-4 business days of submitting a full application. New students will receive their login information to their student accounts along with new-student onboarding information to ensure a successful enrollment.
Accepted students are required to submit a nonrefundable $250 enrollment deposit. The deposit will be credited toward tuition charges for the upcoming semester. For more information, see the Tuition and Fees page.
Essay requirements
A statement of about 1000 words discussing the topics below. This statement is important as it demonstrates your ability to clearly and concisely commit your ideas in writing. This is your opportunity to tell us about yourself.
- Describe your professional and academic goals in this field, focusing on what you feel is significant about historic preservation in America today. Refer to a project, presentation or initiative that you know of as evidence for your statement about what is an important direction of the field. Identify specific components of the Goucher program that interest you and why.
- One of the benefits of a low-residency program is staying in the community where most
of your work as a professional will be undertaken. What are some of the resources
(community groups, advocacy and development organizations, municipal governments,
archives, historic sites) in your community that you would like to draw upon during
your graduate career? How would you like to contribute to your community, supporting
the people who are living, working, and playing in its historic places?
