Master of Arts in Interior Architecture

Candidates who have not completed an undergraduate program of study substantially equivalent to a BFA in Interior Design are required to complete leveling courses. The graduate program director evaluates the unique background of each student at the time of acceptance into the graduate program to determine the number and type of leveling courses that are required. Some students may be required to complete up to 55 credits of leveling courses; others will be able to waive some number of these leveling courses based on prior undergraduate experience and professional background. An additional 30 credits of graduate-level coursework is then required to earn the MAIA degree.

Students complete or waive the following courses:

• ADF-S101 Foundation Drawing I
• ADF-S102 Foundation Drawing II
• ADF-S152 3-Dimensional Design
• ADF-S166 2D/Color

Students complete or waive the following courses:

• ADI-S106 Interior Design Communications
• ADI-S107 Spatial Graphics
• ADI-S110 Digital Orthographics
• ADI-S201 Interior Design Studio I
• ADI-S202 Residential Design Studio
• ADI-S215 Human Factors & Universal Design
• ADI-223 History of Furniture & Architecture
• ADI-234 History & Theory of Interior Architecture
• ADI-242 Interior Codes & Construction
• ADI-244 Interior Materials & Finishes
• ADI-254 Lighting
• ADI-S264 Advanced Interior Design Communication
• ADI-S304 Furniture and Detailing Studio
• ADI-352 Environmental Systems

• ADI-706 Graduate Portfolio
• ADI-808 3-Dimensional Color Theory
• ADI-840 Thesis Research
• ADI-S842 Interior Design Thesis Studio
• ADI-844 Thesis Documentation
• ADI-S847 Digital Visualization
• ADI-849 Entrepreneurship With Internship
• ADI-851 Style, Culture, & Theory
• ADI-S852 Urban Ecology Studio: The Workplace
• ADI-S853 Advanced Lighting Studies
• ADI-S854 Design Documentation
• ADI-S855 Urban Ecology Studio: Living Systems

The Master’s program culminates with the completion of the master’s thesis, an original interior architecture project that focuses on selected aspects of design theory and aesthetics. Thesis Research (ADI-840), Thesis Design (ADI-S842), and Thesis Documentation (ADI-844) are intended as the final three courses in the Master’s program curriculum sequence. Successful completion of Thesis Research is a prerequisite for enrollment in Thesis Design, and successful completion of this course is a prerequisite for Thesis Documentation.

Master's candidates who need to complete leveling coursework will be subject to the same policies regarding regularly scheduled portfolio reviews as undergraduate students. Master's students are required to complete an exit portfolio review and participate in the Graduate Student Exhibition.