MA in Conservation of Cultural Heritage in Los Angeles United States | University of California, Los Angeles

The UCLA/Getty Interdepartmental Master's Program in Cultural Heritage Conservation offers a hands-on degree with strong scientific, academic, and research foundations. This collaborative initiative between UCLA and the Getty Conservation Institute, managed by the Cotsen Institute of Archaeology, awards a three-year MA in Conservation. Its purpose is to equip students with expert-level conservation skills and ethical decision-making abilities, preparing them for careers in safeguarding archaeological and cultural artifacts.

Students receive a cross-disciplinary education through partnerships across the university, as well as with conservation experts at the Getty Conservation Institute, Getty Museum, and other local institutions. The program stands out for its focus on materials, techniques, and heritage preservation related to archaeological and cultural items—whether in collections or at field sites—including indigenous artifacts, rock art, murals, and mosaics. Highlighting the value of cultural awareness and teamwork, the curriculum underscores conservation as a cooperative endeavor. Key objectives include advancing conservation standards by integrating cultural insights with scientific approaches to documentation, analysis, and treatment.

Students undergo rigorous training through a three-year program featuring two years of classes, university electives, independent research options, and internships at museums and excavation sites. The degree culminates with a master's thesis incorporating original research in any conservation discipline covered by the program.