MS in Interior Design:
First Professional Major
If you have an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than interior design or architecture, the Master of Science in Interior Design: First Professional degree is for you. This major prepares you to practice in the field of interior design.
Rigorous Curriculum
The First Professional Master of Science (MS) study plan consists of 74 credit hours of coursework completed on the Tallahassee campus over a period of three years. The curriculum includes design studios, content-based courses, and labs. Design studios emphasize fundamentals of design, hand drawing skills, and a range of project typologies, including residential, workplace, healthcare, hospitality, and retail environments. Content courses cover topics such as environmental psychology, sustainability, professional practice, construction, interior lighting, and design theory and history. Labs focus on the application of computer-aided design (CAD) software and the development of multimedia project presentations. Students also have the opportunity to participate in a study abroad program in London.
The program begins in the Fall semester, and its in-person format ensures a high-quality educational experience in this rigorous course of study.
Admissions Requirements
Admission to the MS First Professional major 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 School of Design determines admissibility to the degree program. To be considered for the MS First Professional 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 School of Design Application that identifies your goals and reasons that make you a strong applicant to the interior design graduate program. 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 (optional). 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, and course or internship, etc.).
- Interview. After you complete and submit your application, the School will contact you to schedule a phone, Zoom, or in-person interview with the School’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. The number of spots in this program is limited, and applications are reviewed as they arrive.
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 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 who have completed the second year (four semesters) of their studies in the program 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 of their final year in the program.
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.
