The Department of Historic Preservation requires a 2 CU Capstone in the final year of the program, which may be satisfied in one of two formats: Thesis or Studio.
The Capstone Thesis is an independent research project built on original research, and may also include original design work or laboratory experimentation. Historic Preservation Theses are available to be viewed and downloaded on Scholarly Commons.
The Capstone Studio is a single semester, group studio offered in the spring. It allows students to apply the knowledge and skills of their elected concentration toward crafting a professional problem rather than as independent self-directed academic research.
The primary difference between thesis and the capstone studio rests on methodological distinction between solitary academic research associated with knowledge creation (thesis) and guided professional problem solving in a small research group (capstone studio). Individually and collectively, the hundreds of Weitzman Preservation Capstone projects represent an impressive intellectual achievement – and a good reflection on the intellectual and practical questions driving preservation practice.
