MFA in Interior Design
If you already have an undergraduate degree in interior design or architecture and seek to advance your professional career by tackling complex design challenges, mastering advanced problem-solving skills, and making a significant impact in the field, the Master of Fine Arts degree is for you. As the demand for evidence-based design grows, architecture and design firms are increasingly investing in research to create innovative solutions that demonstrate their value to clients. The MFA major will help you develop foundational research skills and practice the application of research findings to a hypothetical design project. This degree is considered terminal in industry, which means that you will be able to teach interior design, including in tenure-track positions, at institutions that do not require a doctoral degree in design.
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Integrated Curriculum
The MFA major requires a minimum of sixty (60) credit hours, including at least six (6) thesis hours. Over two years, each student conducts an original evidence-based study and applies the findings to the design of a complex, large-scale built environment project of their choice. The curriculum includes programming, design development, construction documentation, detailing, finish and material specifications, and the presentation of a comprehensive design solution that fully addresses the project’s requirements. The major culminates in a formal thesis defense, with the written thesis prepared according to university guidelines.
To advance their training in research or study area expertise, students may take elective courses offered by the department or other academic units in the university. Graduates leave the program with a professional portfolio suitable for career interviews and a skill set in conducting original research for applied practice or academic careers.
To ensure close faculty supervision, the department accepts a limited number of candidates, with final decisions made by the Graduate Policy Committee.
Admissions Requirements
Admission to the MFA is a two-fold evaluation process. The Office of Graduate Admissions determines eligibility for admission to the University. In addition to meeting graduate university admissions requirements, international applicants must also meet the University requirements to be considered for admission.
The Department of Interior Architecture & Design determines admissibility to the degree program. To be considered for the MFA program admission, the applicants must submit the following items through the Graduate Admissions Application Portal:
- Curriculum Vitae. The CV should include details on prior education, experiences, publications, service activities, etc.
- Official transcript. An official undergraduate transcript indicating a minimum 3.0 grade point average (GPA) on the last 60 hours of the completed undergraduate degree
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE). If your undergraduate degree GPA for the last 60 hours of work is 3.00 or higher, then the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) requirement is waived.
If your undergraduate degree GPA for the last 60 hours of work is below 3.00, you need to submit the results of the GRE. The desired combined score should be greater than or equal to 305. GRE test scores are valid for five years from the test date. - Official English Language Proficiency results. Students with English as a second language must meet the University proficiency standards of IBTOEFLE: 80; TOEFL: 550; or IELTS: 6.5.
- Department application. A completed Interior Architecture & Design Department Application that identifies your goals and reasons that make you a strong applicant to the interior design graduate program. Tell us about your intended study focus and potential alignment with the research focus of one of our faculty members. Visit the Meet our Faculty page above for ideas. The Application is available to complete via the Graduate Admissions Application portal.
- Three letters of recommendation. A minimum of three letters of recommendation written by academic and/or professional persons of your choice who are familiar with you and your previous work. This process is facilitated via the Application portal.
- Work portfolio. A digital portfolio of 15-20 examples of current student and/or professional design work is to be uploaded via the Application portal. Please include short captions for your pieces that describe the project, the context, the medium, and the role you had in producing it (individual or group, independent or under supervision, course or internship, etc.).
- Academic writing sample. A 5-to 10-page excerpt from a college writing assignment that demonstrates your writing abilities and style needs to be uploaded to the Application portal. The sample must include in-text citations and references of scholarly work that informed your paper. The sample helps faculty advisors to determine the degree of assistance the student may need with thesis writing.
- Interview. After you complete and submit your application, the Department will contact you to schedule a phone, Zoom, or in-person interview with the Department’s Director of Graduate Studies.
Application Deadlines
The application deadline is April 1 of every year for the start of study in the Fall semester.
International applicants are encouraged to complete their applications by January 1 so they have ample time to obtain their immigration documents and make living arrangements in Tallahassee.
The Teaching Assistantship application deadline is March 15. We advise that you apply as early as possible to ensure the availability of the assistantships.
The application window for the 2025-2026 academic year will open in September 2024.
Application Questions? Contact Rebecca Cowart, Academic Program Specialist, at rebecca.cowart@fsu.edu or (850) 644-5473.
Teaching Assistantships and Financial Aid
A limited number of teaching assistantships are available for the most qualified applicants and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The assistantship allows students to gain teaching experience and provides a tuition waiver and a stipend for Fall and Spring semesters.
For tuition, estimated cost of attendance, and financial aid opportunities, please refer to the Graduate School’s Funding & Awards information.
Financial Aid Resources
Interior Design Licensure and Certification Information
The Interior Design program at Florida State University prepares students for professional practice in interior design and may support eligibility for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) Examination, depending on individual experience requirements and applicable state regulations. The NCIDQ Examination is a nationally recognized exam used by many states as part of the licensure or registration process for interior designers. Licensure requirements for interior design vary by state. Some states require licensure or registration to practice certain types of interior design, while others do not regulate the profession.
The State of Florida requires applicants seeking registration as an interior designer to meet education, experience, and examination requirements, including successful completion of the NCIDQ Examination. Students intending to pursue licensure or registration should review the specific requirements of the state in which they plan to practice. FSU’s Professional Licensure and Certification search page provides this information. Completion of the Florida State University Interior Design program does not guarantee certification, licensure, or registration in any state.
