The Diploma Program has three primary areas of study:

RESEARCH AND DOCUMENTATION - understanding cultural heritage properties through a variety of perspectives, including historical, art historical, and archaeological research; local and community history; field investigation; ecological analysis; condition assessment; measured drawings; photo recording; and historic structure reports.  Students are taught the necessary skills including research methods, drafting, and field techniques. 

CONSERVATION PLANNING  - using research findings to identify important values and develop values-based strategies for conservation, including preparing Statements of Significance; understanding commemorative and ecological integrity; evaluating possible categories of intervention; applying national and international conservation principles; drawing and presenting design alternatives; and developing conservation and management plan documents.  Students are introduced to local, provincial and federal heritage legislation and emerging trends in conservation theory and practice, including sustainability as a core principle.

CRAFTSMANSHIP AND PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION  - developing hands-on experience with a wide range of conservation skills and activities, and the management of heritage projects.  Attention is given to safety and code issues.  The curriculum includes a consideration of historic gardens, historic building types, exterior and interior finishes, fittings, and furnishings, and a variety of building materials such as stained glass and ironwork.  There is a current emphasis in the following areas

• CARPENTRY - history of wood construction, wood types and properties, early local woods, woodworking tools, handwork techniques, refinishing old wood, simple structures, fastening methods, introduction to joinery, flooring, doors and windows.
• PLASTER AND LATH - history, early mixes and applications, lath, tools, walls, ceilings. Introduction to assessment, reporting and treatment plan.
• MASONRY - geological analysis of the Niagara area, old quarries,  stone identification, foundation construction, stone cutting, dry-laid garden walls, mortar mixes, stone wall construction and repair, early bricks.