Graduate Program
Atrium of a domestic violence shelter: Master of Fine Arts thesis by Sarah Rifqi
Graduate study in Interior Design sets a person apart as a professional who has advanced skills in critical thinking, original research creation and/or advanced, specialized design capabilities. As only an estimated 6% of design practitioners possess a master’s degree (ASID Outlook Brief, 2019), this credential demonstrates to hiring firms, clients and others commitment and capability that exceeds the norm and increases a designer’s competitiveness and fitness for leadership. Plus, having a master’s degree can bring a higher salary.
Graduate alumni from the Department of Interior Architecture excel in their careers with companies/organizations that include Gensler, Daimler Chrysler, the U.S. Library of Congress, Uber, HOK and Corgan and are project managers, design researchers and administrators that lead others.
In the most recent survey of DesignIntelligence, a yearly publication of the Design Futures Council, the Interior Architecture & Design Graduate Program ranked sixth in the nation for the school most hired from and tenth in the nation as the most admired design school by practitioners. The Program is also in the top 10 of schools nationwide in communication and presentation skills, design technologies, design theory, interdisciplinary studies, practice management, research, sustainable/adaptive/resilient design and transdisciplinary collaboration.
Graduate student alumni from the Department of Interior Architecture and Design are coveted by hiring firms, and on average since 2015, over 85% of grad students have secured design industry employment or graduate school acceptance for an additional degree within nine months of graduating.
With an emphasis on user-centered design, critical thinking and real-world skills, graduates in the Department of Interior Architecture and Design enjoy a beautiful work environment, a supportive learning community of student peers, and a superior array of faculty guides that aid their exploration of diversity of advanced design topics. Many serve as Department Graduate Assistants that both provide them teaching/leadership experience plus assist expenses with a fall-spring tuition waiver and stipend.
The FSU Graduate Program in the Department of Interior Architecture & Design offers the Master of Science, the Master of Arts and the Master of Fine Arts degrees.
The Master of Science First Professional Interior Design degree is for students that possess an undergraduate degree in in a field other than Interior Design or Architecture. This prepares a student for entry level design practice and to take the CIDQ qualification exam.
The Master of Science Advance Professional degree is for students that possess an undergraduate degree in Interior Design or Architecture. There are two tracks in this MS degree:
- The MS Project track: This choice supports the goal of interior design practice and provides extended design process and project knowledge. Students undertake extensive programming research and related tasks and produce a comprehensive design project of your choice over a three-semester period.
- The MS Thesis track:. This choice supports the goal of conducting evidence-based design research or teaching interior design, and is the recognized path to ultimately complete a Ph.D. degree. Students conduct original research in this track and complete a university thesis. This degree typically requires 4 semesters with the final semester focusing on thesis writing and defense.
- The Master of Fine Arts degree is for students that possess an undergraduate degree in interior design or architecture and are interested in either practicing or teaching interior design at colleges and universities that accept the MFA degree credential. The degree provides practitioners professional career enhancement and foundation skills in conducting an evidence-based interior design practice. Students will complete some form of original research in this track, write a comprehensive thesis, and complete a design project connected to their research.
View grad program summaries and stories from graduate alumni
View bios and research areas of faculty
View recent graduate student Metropolis Magazine 100 awards
View graduate student research and design portfolios
Graduate students Kelley Robinson, Amanda Guerrier, Lauren Trujillo and Heather Dodd present their thesis research at the Interior Design Educators Council regional conference
For questions or to discuss your goals, contact:
Director of Graduate Studies
Steve Webber
Department of Interior Architecture and Design
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306-1231
Phone: 850 645-6831
FAX: 850 644-3112
email: IADgrad@cfa.fsu.edu