College of Design

Interior Design - Graduate

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photo of Lindsey Fay

Lindsey Fay, EDAC

Director of Graduate Studies

Associate Professor

College of Design

Gray Design Building

349 Scott Street | Lexington, KY 40506

Program website

859-323-2747

  • MA

The graduate program in the School of Interiors leads to a post-professional Master of Arts in Interiors: Planning/Strategy/Design. Students undertake a combination of course work, independent study, and research experience to develop a course 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 engage in an investigative process leading to an area of design specialization. Each 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. Applicants that have an undergraduate degree in interior design or a related professional subject matter normally complete the program in two years. Supplementary course work may be required of applicants without professional undergraduate interior design degrees. 

Master's Program Description

Students undertake the Master of Arts in Interiors with either a Plan A and Plan B option. 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 student develops a design thesis project that engages in innovative problem-solving focusing on the student’s area of specialization. A common core of twelve hours, comprised of ID 650, ID 655, and ID 659, is required of all students. Students complete twelve credits of additional course work around concentration. Students must successfully complete a final examination in the form of a thesis defense, which is required for graduation. Students are admitted for fall and spring semesters. If you wish to be considered for a scholarship or assistantship, please submit your application by February 1. To be considered for fall admission and all forms of financial aid, an application must be complete by March 1. 

Master's (MA) Degree - Application Requirements

  • Statement of Purpose
    • The statement of purpose should be a written essay that includes a brief personal history and reasons for pursuing a Master of Arts in Interiors at the University of Kentucky. Upload your essay as a PDF document not to exceed 2 pages
  • Resume
    • The resume should clearly highlight educational background, relevant experience, and skills in addition to (although not required) notable awards, honors, and research activity. Upload your resume as a PDF document not to exceed 5 pages.
  • Portfolio
    • The portfolio should include a well-edited and broad representation of the applicant’s most important visual arts, design, research and/or professional work. Portfolios will be reviewed by members of the admissions committee and should be uploaded as a single PDF document (optimized not to exceed 20MB and limited to no more than 20 pages). For candidates without a background in design, the portfolio should demonstrate the applicant’s drawing skills and three-dimensional aptitude. Work represented may include drawings, paintings, sculpture, sketches, landscape and architectural designs, or other creative work. A single, compiled PDF is strongly preferred, but if your document cannot be reduced to 20MB or less, you may upload as separate files.
  • Transcripts
    • Copy of official transcripts from previous educational institutions uploaded as a pdf. Official Transcripts will be required if offered admission.
  • Three letters of recommendation
    • Applicants will be asked to provide at least 3 letters of recommendation. References will be accepted up to 7 days after the program deadline.

Application Deadlines: To be considered for fall admission and all forms of financial aid, an application must be complete by March 1. 

Applicants must meet the Graduate School admission requirements.

Interiors Graduate Program Application Guidelines

 


Contact

photo of Lindsey Fay

Lindsey Fay, EDAC

Director of Graduate Studies

Associate Professor

College of Design

Gray Design Building

349 Scott Street | Lexington, KY 40506

859-323-2747