First Professional Interior Design Master of Science
The First Professional Interior Design Master of Science degree is for you if you possess an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than Interior Design or Architecture. This degree prepares you to practice in the field of interior design.
Hospitality project by First Professional MS alumni Zuleydi Gonzalez
The First Pro MS plan of study involves 85 credit hours of course work on the Tallahassee campus of Florida State University in a curriculum of 7 semesters of full-time study, or 2 1/3 years in length. In-person learning helps ensure a quality experience in this invigorating and challenging program. Courses include a blend of design studios, content courses and labs. Studios address design fundamentals, hand drawing skills, and a variety of project typologies including residential, workplace, healthcare, hospitality, and retail. Content courses explore environmental psychology, sustainability, professional practice, construction, and lighting systems. Labs focus on the learning and application of computer aided design software. The curriculum is highly structured to assure graduation in seven semesters.
Video: What does the First Professional Master of Science program do for you?
View grad program summaries and stories from graduate alumni
Career Success Story from a First Professional alumnus: Tracie Kelley, Uber, San Francisco
Admissions Requirements
Admission to the First Professional Interior Design Master of Science program is based on University requirements as defined in the Graduate Degree Requirements section of the FSU Graduate Bulletin as well as those of the Interior Architecture & Design Department.
The Department requires the following items in order to be considered for the program. These are submitted to FSU through your online application.
- Transcripts: An official undergraduate transcript indicating a minimum 3.0 grade point average on the last 60 hours of the completed undergraduate degree. Download a GPA Calculator Sheet.
- GRE: A minimum Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of 149 verbal and 145 quantitative. If GRE was taken prior to November 2011, minimum scores are 430 verbal and 540 quantitative. Note that GRE scores are one of many factors considered in admittance. NOTE: If your undergraduate degree grade point average for the last 60 hours of work is 3.25 or higher, then the Graduate Record Examination requirement is waived.
- TOEFL/IELTS: Students with English as a second language must meet the university standard of 80 for TOEFL scores or 6.5 for IELTS scores. Students with English language concerns should speak with Steve Webber, Director of Graduate Studies at IADgrad@cfa.fsu.edu.
- Supplemental Application: A completed Interior Design Supplemental Application that identifies your goals and reasons why you feel you will succeed in graduate school. This is available to complete via your application portal.
- Letters of recommendation: A minimum of 3 letters of recommendation provided by professional or academic persons of your choice that are familiar with you and your previous work. This process is facilitated via your application portal.
- Portfolio: (optional) A portfolio is a visual collection of artistic works. This option is available only for those applicants who have an educational or professional background in an artistic or design-related discipline. If an applicant does not submit a portfolio it will not negatively impact their chances of being accepted.
Once your completed application and corresponding materials have been submitted, the Department will review on a rolling basis. As applications are reviewed, the Department will contact you to schedule a phone or in-person interview with the Department Director of Graduate Studies, Steve Webber.
The deadline for submittal of an application is February 1st of every year for start of study in the Summer semester. Seating is limited and applications are reviewed as they arrive. International students are encouraged to complete their applications as early as possible in order to clear extra requirements for language and residency.
Application window for 2024-2025 school year is now open
Application Questions? Contact us at admissions@cfa.fsu.edu.