Interior Design Graduate Admissions

GRADUATE ADMISSIONS

The graduate program in interior design leads to a post-professional Master of Arts in Interior Design. A combination of course work, independent study, and research experience is available to provide students with a program of study designed to meet each student's career interests. Courses from within and outside the discipline cultivate interdisciplinary design thinking. Using design-related scholarship/research and creative approaches, students will engage in an investigative process that leads to an area of design specialization.

The student works with an advising committee in the selection of a written thesis or a design thesis project option and the appropriate courses at the 500, 600, and 700 levels. It is essential that the applicant have an undergraduate degree in interior design or a related professional subject matter. Supplementary course work may be required of applicants without professional undergraduate interior design degrees.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The Master of Arts in Interior Design is available under Plan A and Plan B. The thesis option (Plan A) requires 24 hours of course work, six hours of master's residence credit, and a written thesis with a research emphasis. Plan B requires completion of 30 credit hours, including six hours of ID 700 in which a design thesis project that engages in innovative problem-solving focusing on the student's area of specialization and an extensive programming document are developed. A common core of twelve hours, comprised of ID 650, ID 655, and ID 659, is required of all students. Students are to complete twelve credits of additional course work in the area of concentration. Successful completion of a final examination is required for graduation.

Potential graduate students must:

Apply and be accepted by the Graduate School.
Have been granted a baccalaureate degree by an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (2.75-3.0 GPA will be considered in relation to other credentials).
Have taken the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). For a non-English speaking student, a TOEFL score of 550 or above is required (or a score of 213 on the computer version of TOEFL).
After admittance to the Graduate School, apply and be accepted by the School of Interior Design.

To be reviewed by the school, send a letter to the Director of Graduate Studies stating the general nature of your desired program and career goals; rationale for selecting this program; and your background in this area of study.

Additionally, three letters of recommendation regarding academic ability must be sent to the Director of Graduate Studies. A portfolio, which is reviewed and evaluated by a faculty committee, is required of all applicants. The portfolio may be submitted digitally.

Director of Graduate Studies
School of Interior Design
113 Funkhouser Bldg.
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506-0054