Graduate - Interior Design

The graduate program in the School of Interior Design provides students with a Masters of Arts degree and post-professional research experiences that lead to expertise in an area of specialization drawn from interdisciplinary knowledge. Filtered through the lense of interior design, this expertise will cultivate and expand the body of knowledge as interior design as demanded by the profession into new domains of practice. Areas of specialization include:

• Evidence-Based Design
• Workplace Design
• Experience Design
• Community Activism
• Design for Aging
• History & Theory
• Environmentally Responsible Design

Leaders in the profession have noted the importance of cultiviating both practice-based and theory-based research to advancing the interior design profession. Fully integrated research into practice will require a paradigm shift, but is viewed as the future of the profession. Cultivating a graduate research specialization will prepare practioners for vital roles as the profession advances. Additionally, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov), employment of interior designers is expected to increase by 19% between the years 2010-2020. As the market grows, so too will job competition and a Masters of Arts degree in Interior Design from the University of Kentucky can support a designer's ability to understand and conduct research, analyze, think critically, and apply evidence-based design work through the design process.

Courses/Curriculum

Comprised of 30 semester hours, the program culminates with an option of a thesis design project or a written thesis coinciding with the graduate student's research specialization. With these possibilities, the School of Interior Design ensures success by providing a foundation of values geared toward both research and design, including: research and analysis, critical thinking, application of evidence-based design, the design process, along with a focus on the quality of human experiences in the designed environment.

Admittance in the program is limited to individuals with a professional undergraduate degree in interior design, architecture, or a related professional design degree. As part of the College of Design, graduate students have access to courses within architecture and historic preservation, in addition to other courses within the broader university to ensure a multidisciplinary approach to problem solving.

The Master of Arts in Interior Design can be completed through a thesis or non-thesis curriculum. The written thesis option requires 24 hours of course work, six hours of master’s residence credit, and a written thesis with a research emphasis. The design project thesis option requires completion of 30 credit hours, including six hours of ID 700, Research Applications in Interior Design.

Admissions

The graduate program in interior design leads to a post-professional Masters 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.

Admittance in the program is limited to individuals with a professional undergraduate degree in interior design, architecture, or a related professional design degree.To apply to the Masters of Arts in Interior Design, you must:

• Apply and be accepted to the University of Kentucky
• Apply and be accepted to the School of Interior Design. Download the application here. The application deadline is May 15.
• 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 will be considered in relation to other credentials).
• Have take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
• For non-English speaking students, a TOEFL score of 550 or above is required (or a score of 213 on the computer version of the TOEFL).

Email idgrad@uky.edu for questions regarding admissions.

Research Specializations

Areas of Graduate Research Specialization 

Evidence-Based Design research utilizing post-occupancy evaluations documents the success of design intent and provides opportunities to improve environmental performance. Professors Lindsey Guinther and Allison Carll are on the forefront of contributing to a cutting edge knowledge base that demonstrates value added by the design in healthcare facilities.

Workplace Design is exploring critical components in connecting corporate goals with employee experiential needs for cultivating innovation in the workforce and significantly improving the corporate bottom line. Workplace design research is conducted on varied work typologies and connects teams of faculty from the school and the Institute for Workplace Innovation.

Experience Design is a multidisciplinary approach exploring the quality of the user experience and user response to the interior space. Experience design may result in a branded experience when utilized by industries and corporations. Professor Helen Turner's research and professional involvement challenges traditional views with implications for considering the influence of design on the experience of space.

Community Activism research is serving as a catalyst for social activism utilizing collaborative processes for critical interventions to transform communities by building on the common threads of place making and cultural identity. Professor Rebekah Ison’s research is creating vibrancy through design partnerships from South America to Southeastern Kentucky.

Design for Aging is accommodating the largest demographic age shift since the emergence of the baby boomers. An expanding need for new understandings regarding the design of environments and their impact on the changing physical, psychological, cultural, and social demands of this population is imperative.  Multidisciplinary course work opportunities from Center on Aging, health sciences, psychology, and design provide a rich foundation for a targeted design thesis.

Environmentally Responsible Design is advancing interior design practices from both a micro and macro perspective.  It occurs at the intersection between green design decisions protecting HSW of users and sustainable design practices centered on global environmental issues protecting our ecological systems.  Choices of multidisciplinary coursework opportunities from agriculture, public health, anthropology, and biology assist in cultivating this specialization.

History & Theory cultivates intellectual processes as the basis for research and analytic explorations. Better understanding of theoretical concepts that were foundational in the creation of historical or modern interiors can advance the profession by informing contemporary design. Historical relevance of interiors increases public awareness and elevates public perceptions of the profession.

Email idgrad@uky.edu for questions regarding admissions.

FAQ

Why do I hear from both the School of Interior Design and the Graduate School?
You must meet all of the requirements and be admitted into the University of Kentucky Graduate School before the School of Interior Design can process your application.

Can I get advanced standing in your program?
Yes, the Admissions committee reviews each case.

Do I have to apply for Graduate Teaching Assistantships and Research Assistantships?
No, all graduate students are considered for these opportunities.

If I don't get a GTA my first year, can I get one my second year?
Yes, it is possible.

How many credits are required for the Masters of Arts Degree?
30 credit hours for the Masters Degree.

How long does it take to complete my degree?
The professional degree takes two years.

When is the application deadline?
March 15

How much does the program cost?
Information about tuition can be found at the University of Kentucky's Registrar's here.

What are the Kentucy residency requirements?
Information about the University of Kentucky's residency policy can be found here.

Who can I talk to for more information?
Send an email to idgrad@uky.edu