Master of Arts (MA) in Interior Architecture and Design
MA
DURATION
4 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 1,615 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus
* per unit for international students / USD 1,407 per unit for domestic students
Key Summary
The Master of Arts (M.A.) program in Interior Architecture & Design is a thirty-six (36) unit program that will provide students with a dynamic learning environment and a curriculum to prepare them for professional practice. The curriculum covers all aspects of design, including programming, design analysis, understanding human social and spatial interaction, space planning, use of color and materials, preparation of construction documents and specifications, site observation, professional business practices, current methods of interior construction, building systems and components, codes and regulations, fixtures, furnishings, and equipment.
Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
Interior Design Skills
- Meet industry standards in response to professional ethics, global issues, and technological advances
- Demonstrate creative approaches to layout, spatial organization, use of material, lighting, and relationship of interior design and furnishings to the architecture of the building
- Create construction drawings and documents
- Demonstrate an understanding of color principles, theories, and systems in interior design
Research and Problem Solving
- Conduct research and synthesize findings to generate multiple concepts and design responses to programmatic requirements
Presentation Skills
- Integrate oral and visual material to present ideas clearly
Professional Readiness
- Produce a cohesive portfolio tailored to reflect career goals
Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:
- Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
- Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
- Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
- Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
- Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
- Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
- Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
Academy of Art University offers some of the best training and hands-on experience to help accelerate in various careers in interior architecture. We pride ourselves in doing an exceptional job preparing you to excel in your future profession through degree programs that equip aspiring professionals with a comprehensive toolbox of marketable skills, leading to a successful career.
AutoCAD/BIM Designer
Plan, program, and generate construction documents that accurately represent design intent. Plans, sections, details, elevations, and schedules are all a part of design documents.
FF&E Designer
Focus on Furniture. Fixtures & Equipment (FF&E) selections. specifications. and material sourcing. The overall design concept established by the team is represented throughout all FF&E presentations. All members of the design team are expected to have strong leadership, organization, communication, and relationship management skills.
Job Captain
As a job captain, you'll collaborate with project managers to develop solutions to problems and coordinate the design through the entire process. Work with fabricators, contractors, and regulatory agencies to bring the project to life on time.
Project Designer
Coordinate both the FF&E and AutoCAD/BIM design deliverables to ensure that efforts are streamlined and consistent. Determine the feasibility of design details and manage the overall set of design documents to make sure they meet the requirements of the project team as well as industry standards.
Visualization Specialist
A visualization specialist works with the design team to create representations of project development. You'll use hand renderings, sketches, or 3D renderings to communicate design concepts in this creative field.
Unit Requirements
| Major | 30 |
| Graduate Liberal Arts | 6 |
| Total | 36 |
Degree Requirements
- Successful completion of Final Portfolio Review
- A minimum grade of C in all required 36 units
- Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and the following Academic Study requirements:
- 1 Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic course
- 1 Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic course
Curriculum
Semester 1
- IAD 601: Fundamentals of Design Documentation (Major)
- IAD 603: Sketching & Perspective for Interior Environments (Major)
- IAD 608: Digital Imaging (Major)
Semester 2
- GLA 602: The Art & Ideology of the 20th Century (Graduate Liberal Arts)
- IAD 600: Studio 1 (Major)
- IAD 611: BIM - Building Information Modeling (Major)
Semester 3
- IAD 602: Building Systems and Codes (Major)
- IAD 610: Studio 2 (Major)
- IAD 612: Material Use (Major)
Semester 4
- GLA 634: Professional Practice for Interior Designers (Graduate Liberal Arts)
- IAD 604: Lighting Design (Major)
- IAD 613: Studio 3 (Major)
Certify your English proficiency with PTE. The faster, fairer, simpler English test, accepted by thousands of universities around the world. PTE, Do it worry-free!