Graduate Programs

Kate Acuna uses a soft air blower to remove dust from a fish skin bag
Objects major Kate Acuna (WUDPAC 2021) uses a soft air blower to remove dust from a fish skin bag (Image credit Evan Krape, University of Delaware).

Our Graduate Programs


The University of Delaware offers two prestigious graduate programs in art conservation through its partnership with the Winterthur Museum. The Winterthur/University Of Delaware MS Program in Art Conservation (WUDPAC) and the Preservation Studies PhD.

Both the WUDPAC master's and the Preservation Studies PhD position graduates for careers preserving artistic, archaeological, and historical objects for museums, libraries, and private collections worldwide.

Graduate Program Highlights

  • World-Class Master's and Doctoral Programs: The Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation (WUDPAC) is renowned for its three-year graduate curriculum designed to educate and train conservation professionals in the examination, analysis, stabilization, treatment, and sustainable preservation of heritage collections through specialization in eight conservation disciplines. The Preservation Studies Doctoral Program (PSP) is an interdisciplinary course of study in the philosophies, research methodologies, and policies informing the preservation of art and cultural heritage — distinct in its approach combining cross-field expertise toward doctoral study in preservation.
  • Exciting Internship Opportunities: Students in the Art Conservation program have opportunities to intern at a wide variety of institutions around the world, gaining specialized knowledge and skills in the arts, sciences, and other fields, and developing the valuable hand, communication, and critical-thinking skills necessary to be responsible custodians of cultural heritage and cultural exchange.

Supporting tomorrow's leaders, scholars and innovators

The University of Delaware holistically supports its graduate students, beginning with their health and wellbeing. Benefits include a subsidized health plan and physical and behavioral health services. UD fosters a culture of academic excellence, with committed faculty and staff and access to state-of-the-art research facilities and technology. UD prioritizes professional development with job training, internships and industry partnerships. Graduates further enhance their professional growth and visibility with opportunities to work on interdisciplinary research teams, present their work at conferences and publish in academic journals. Visit the links below to learn how UD is supporting society’s future leaders, scholars, and innovators.

New graduate students attending a student panel discussion as part of Graduate New Student Orientation for the Spring 2024 semester. The panel featured graduate and Ph.D students (from left): Martin Vivero, Communication Sciences & Disorders, Ph.D.; Priscila Barbosa, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Ph.D; Deborah Oyeyemi, Business Analytics & Information Management, M.S.; and Emmanuel Gyimah, Educational Technology, M.Ed. The panel was moderated by LaRuth McAfee, Senior Assistant Dean LaRuth McAfee, Ph.D.