Master of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture

Program of Study

The IA program is a rigorous full-time, five-semester 60-credit curriculum that takes two years to complete. Students begin the program in the fall semester only.

Courses

Students in the master of fine arts (MFA) program in the field of interior architecture learn about habitable environments ranging from small, basic residential interiors to larger, more complex commercial and institutional spaces. With projects focusing on current design issues as well as lectures and visits from professionals to enhance assignments, the curriculum is a carefully sequenced series of courses building on theoretical, technical, and creative competencies.

Because of the program’s location in Washington DC, students benefit from viewing exhibitions at the National Building Museum, pursuing research at the Library of Congress, attending trade shows such as NeoCon East, attending lectures offered by the Washington Design Center, and visiting organizations such as the United States Green Building Council. Taking advantage of these offerings moves to learn outside the classroom and into the industry with practicing professionals in interior design.

The program is for candidates who have completed undergraduate work at an accredited institution in an area of study other than interior design or a related field, such as architecture. Students explore theory and research as they build toward a culminating final project.

Requirements

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

60 credits in required courses and a 120-hour internship.

First year

Fall semester

• CIAR 6100Studio 1–Graduate
• CIAR 6125Graphic Communications
• CIAR 6150Sketching Architecture and Design

Spring semester

• CIAR 6200Studio 2–Graduate
• CIAR 6225Interior Materials and Color Theory
• CIAR 6250Digital Drafting and Modeling

Summer session

• CIAR 6300Studio 3 (Graduate)
• CIAR 6325Case Studies from Bauhaus to Bilbao
• CIAR 6350Sustainability and the Built Environment

Second year

Fall semester

• CIAR 6400Studio 4 (Graduate)
• CIAR 6425Lighting and Acoustics
• CIAR 6450Research Seminar for Studio 5

Spring semester

• CIAR 6500Studio 5–Grad
• CIAR 6525Practicum and Internship
• CIAR 6550Structures and Building Systems

Internship requirement

All students are required to complete a 120-hour internship. Students must be enrolled in the first semester of the program before the internship begins, and it must be completed before the end of their final semester. The internship is a part of CIAR 6525 and counts toward the final grade in the course.

Internships

IA students are required to complete a 120-hour internship as part of the degree program. Students must be enrolled in the first semester of study before beginning the internship, and the internship must be completed before the end of the last semester in the program. The internship is a part of the MFA Practicum + Internship course and will count toward the final grade in that class.

After completion of the 120 hours, students must work with their direct employer to complete the necessary paperwork and submit it to the instructor of the Practicum + Internship course (IA 6525) for final approval.

Additional Experience

MFA students also complete these engaging programs:

• MFA Design Dialogue Series (all semesters)
• MFA Pedagogy Workshops (Studio 2, 3, and 4)
• MFA Mentorship to BFA students (2nd year)

The Profession

With 75,000+ jobs that generate $5 billion annually across design, media, and other creative fields, D.C.'s creative sector is key to the city's economy. There is no shortage of need for interior designers in our city, or nationally, as interior spaces are constantly renovated and re-adapted, specifically in urban areas.

Incorporating conceptual and practical thinking with a design- and technical-based education, the IA experience prepares our students for meaningful, creative employment in the design field. Our program also brings in many professionals from leading architecture and interior design firms in D.C. for critiques, lectures, and events such as our advisory board. Activities like these help our students make connections and find jobs.

Our graduates have gone on to successful careers across the US and internationally at reputable architecture and interior design firms such as SmithGroup, Gensler, OTJ Architects, Perkins + Will, RTKL, Studios Architecture, CORE architecture + design, HapstakDemetriou+, and more. Our graduates have also started their own firms, freelanced independently, and worked in creative fields that align with interiors such as exhibit design, art consulting, and academia.

Our students win many prestigious design competitions such as the Steelcase National NEXT Student Design Competition, where in 2021, we had three students in the top 10 entries from 900 entries and 65+ programs entered. We also had a student recognized as a Metropolis Future 100, which is one of the top 100 graduate students in architecture and design programs in the US and Canada sponsored by Metropolis Magazine.

Class of 2019 Student Achievement Data

Job Placement

75% of the 2019 MFA IA graduates were working in design-related industries within six months and 83% within eight months.

Firms employing 2019 MFA graduates include:

• Robin Chell Design, Seattle, WA
• Perkins + Will Architecture and Planning, NYC
• M Design Studio, Alexandria, VA
• Smith Group Architecture and Planning, Washington, DC
• MOI, Washington, DC
• OTJ Architects, Washington, DC
• Hapstak Demetriou, Washington, DC
• KGD Architecture, Washington, DC
• LKK Design Co., Beijing, China