In 2009 the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst), in collaboration with Hancock Shaker Village (HSV), created a new two-year master's degree in historic preservation and architectural conservation for professionals in the field. Combining university courses with training and classes on site at a national historic landmark, the program leads to a Master of Science in Design with a concentration in historic preservation and is unique in the region and the Commonwealth. Developed by the departments of Architecture + Design and Public History and the university's Continuing & Professional Education (CPE) unit, the new program is delivered in a four-semester, alternate-weekend format that allows mid-career professionals and other working people to pursue and complete a graduate degree. It offers advanced study of traditional building materials, architecture, preservation theory and practice, archival research, and cultural resource management. Students and professionals already working in the field are able to conduct field studies side-by-side with HSV staff, UMass Amherst faculty, and visiting experts on topics such as building restoration, town planning, and historic site administration. In this article, the authors discuss the benefits of this partnership and how the collaboration has proven successful.