Best Master's Degrees in Interior Design

Most master's degree programs in interior design do not require applicants to hold a bachelor's degree in a particular field. However, it may be most common for applicants to these master's degree programs to already have an interest and degree in interior design or another closely related to design, such as architecture or graphic design. Those with a background in design may pursue a master's in interior design to further advance their career and focus on interior design.

Admissions requirements for interior design master's programs vary by school, but students typically have to have at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Some programs require applicants to take the GRE and have minimum test score requirements, while others do not require the exam at all. It is common for these programs to require applicants to meet a minimum GPA requirement, such as a 2.75 or higher. Many of these master's programs require applicants to include a portfolio of their work. This requirement is typically geared towards those who have a background in interior design and includes multiple projects or pieces that students have created, usually in a digital format. Other common application materials for these programs include transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, resume, and writing sample.

Choosing a master's program in interior design can depend on a lot of different preferences and needs. Some students may need a post-professional degree in interior design, while others need their first professional degree, which is more common. Some students prefer to complete their program in an online format for flexibility, while others need to have a program on-campus for the face-to-face interactions. Many programs offer multiple degree paths that allow students to finish in different amounts of time. Some programs allow students to finish in as little as 2 years, while others offer 3-year tracks. Depending on the format of the program, students may be able to focus their studies in a specific area of the field through concentrations and elective courses.

Accreditation for a school or program is indication that they have met specific academic standards set by the accrediting body. Many schools that offer interior design programs are regionally accredited by organizations, such as the Higher Learning Commission. However, some master's programs in interior design hold additional program-level accreditation from design-related organizations. This more specific level of accreditation may be preferred by employers and shows that the program has met academic quality standards designed more specifically for interior design. Some master's programs in interior design are accredited from groups such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and may be a better choice of programs for students.

Master's degree programs in interior design vary greatly in their course requirements. Some programs require as little as 30 credits of coursework, while others require as many as 90 credits of coursework. It is fairly common for these programs to conclude with a final, culminating experience or project of some kind and some programs include internship experiences. Typically, outside of core interior design courses, students can focus their studies through concentrations or electives, depending on the set up of the program. Explore more course information below.

Interior Design Foundational Courses

Core interior design courses focus on teaching students advanced theories and design practices in the field. These courses further develop students' design abilities, as well as their problem-solving and leadership skills. Usually, programs include a culminating experience in their required courses. Some programs allow students to choose a thesis option that is more research-based, while others conclude with a final master's project. Either option helps students apply the skills they have obtained throughout the program to a tangible project of some kind. Core courses for these degree programs may draw from multiple fields, including interior design, psychology, art, and more. A few examples of potential classes for these programs include:

• Interior design theory
• Environmental psychology for interior design
• Visualization
• Criticism
• Drawing
• Construction
• Interior design practice

Interior Design Specialist & Elective Courses

Most interior design master's programs allow students to explore different areas of interest through electives or some programs offer concentrations. Depending on the program, students may be able to choose from concentrations such as art and art history, sustainable design, design and theory, historic preservation, and more. Some programs include graduate internship experiences as electives to give students the opportunity to earn hands-on learning experience and prepare for working in the real world. Elective courses generally need to be approved, but may come from other related design areas, such as architecture.

Licensure & Certification in Interior Design

Aspiring interior designers may need to obtain state licensure, depending on the state. Some states require those with the title 'interior designer' to have a license, while others require anyone doing interior design work to have a license. Most states use the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam for licensure, which requires applicants to have a bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of work experience in the field. California requires an exam from the California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC).

Interior designers can also pursue specialized certification in specific areas of interior design. Usually, specialty certifications are offered by professional or trade organizations and help designers demonstrate their expertise in a particular field. For instance, those interested in environmental design could pursue the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. This certification offers multiple levels based on completed projects that earn points towards certification.

Some students wish to continue their studies in interior design beyond the master's level and earn a doctoral degree. There are several to choose from related to interior design, including some programs that combine other closely related fields. For instance, students can pursue a traditional Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Interior Design or Interior and Environmental Design, or a related degree, such as a PhD in Design, Environment, and the Arts or a PhD in Human Behavior and Design. Typically, earning a PhD helps even further advance one's career and qualifies students to work as a professor and researcher in the field.

In order to stay updated on trends in the field and connect with other professionals, interior designers can join one of several professional organizations geared towards those working in interior design. Some of these groups operate on a national level, while others are available on a global scale. In general, professional organizations try to promote the field to the next generation, as well as support professionals working in the field as much as possible. This may be accomplished through various initiatives, events, and resources. A couple interior design organizations include:

• American Society of Interior Designers- The ASID works to advance the field of interior design and help people understand the impact of design. The group offers membership for students, individuals, and companies and is divided into local chapters. Professionals can take advantage of the group's awards, research, news, events, and job bank. The organization also provides information on the NCIDQ exam and continuing education opportunities.
• International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers- The IFI is an international group that offers membership and multiple advocacy platforms. The group hosts a number of events for professionals and has an established awards program.

Many graduates with their master's degree in interior design go on to work as an interior designer. However, there are a variety of jobs that involve interior design, as well as various types of interior designers. For example, graduates can work as commercial interior designers for businesses or as residential interior designers for homeowners. Other careers may focus on specific aspects of interior design, such as lighting or spacing objects in a room. Some interior designers may being their careers as interior design technicians and work their way up, but earning a master's degree can help students advance their career in the field quickly. Other possible career titles include:

• Art directors
• Space planner
• Project manager
• Hospitality designer
• Lighting designer

Job Outlook for a Master's in Interior Design

In general, earning a master's degree in any field typically helps improve students' job prospects because they have gained advanced knowledge and skills in a field that qualifies them for additional positions. However, the field of interior design is competitive and not growing much. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that jobs for interior designers were declining 5% from 2019 to 2029, possibly due to less construction and remodeling in the country. The BLS did report that prospects may be better in high-income areas and for designers who are updated in current technologies, such as computer-aided design (CAD) software. Overall, the BLS stated that art and design careers would decline by 4% from 2019 to 2029.

How to Become an Interior Designer

Interior designers must hold at least a bachelor's degree in interior design or interior architecture, but master's degree programs in interior design are common. Applicants to these degree programs usually have some artistic ability and are trained in drawing, interior design, and CAD software. Depending on the state, interior designers may need to meet specific licensure requirements and some designers decide to earn specialized certification in a particular subfield of interior design. Advancement opportunities for interior designers may come with licensure, certification, or experience.

Per the BLS, the median annual salary, as of 2019, for interior designers was $56,040. Interior designers help plan out and create beautiful and functional indoors spaces. They work with everything from the lighting to the placing of furniture. They are typically responsible for meeting clients' goals, designing the space, ordering design elements, supervising the construction for the project, and managing the cost and timeline of the project. Interior designers need to be creative and detail-oriented and must have great problem-solving and interpersonal skills.

How to Become an Art Director

Art directors typically need to have at least a bachelor's degree, but some may earn a master's degree to further develop their managerial and leadership skills. Usually, these directors hold a degree and have prior work experience in an art- or design-related field. Many directors need 5 years or more of relevant work experience and typically need to have a professional portfolio of their work to show potential employers.

According to the BLS, the median annual salary for art directors was $94,220, as of 2019. Art directors can work for a variety of media forms, such as television, magazines, or newspapers, and are responsible for creating the overall visual style. This involves choosing different types of art and design elements, supervising staff, creating budgets and timelines, and working closely with the client to ensure that artistic goals are met. Generally, clients approve art directors' final submission of a design. Art directors need to be creative and have strong communication, time management, and leadership skills.

Master's degree programs can get expensive and many students need financial assistance to help pay for their education. Students should always begin the financial aid process with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), even as graduate students. This form notifies students of loans and grants that they may qualify for at the state or federal levels. Then, students can begin their research into additional scholarships and grants.

Specifically for interior design, there are multiple graduate-level awards available to students who need financial assistance. Some of these awards come from schools with interior design programs, while others come from professional organizations in the field. The amounts and the eligibility requirements of these awards vary, so students should be sure to carefully conduct their research. A couple awards available to those studying interior design include:

• New York School of Interior Design Graduate Scholarship- The New York School of Interior Design offers institutional aid each year to incoming and returning graduate students. The amount of the awards vary and are determined by the NYSID President, but students must be enrolled full-time, have a 3.0 GPA or higher, and fill out an application.
• American Society of Interior Designers Legacy Scholarship for Graduate Students- The ASID Foundation offers multiple scholarships and awards for graduate students, including the Legacy Scholarship. This scholarship in the amount of $4,000 is open to students in graduate-level interior design programs and requires an essay.