How to Get a PhD, MID, or MFA in Interior Design

According to NCIDQ, the leading professional association for interior designers, "Interior design is a multi-faceted profession in which creative and technical solutions are applied within a structure to achieve a built interior environment." Interior design impacts the way we live, bringing together form and function to create pleasant environments for work and play and everything else we do indoors.

An advanced degree in interior design can help you master the elements that go into great interior design: aesthetic sensibility, sustainable construction practices, technical design skills, and a knowledge of building code and regulatory requirements. The academic PhD challenges you to advance interior design scholarship through original research and contributions to theoretical discourse. The studio MFA, meanwhile, offers a context for developing your design talent through applied practice.

This guide to online graduate programs--the PhD, MFA, and MID in Interior Design--introduces you to the world of options available at today's interior design schools. You can find a range of resources to help you focus your goals and prepare for an advanced degree in interior design.

A Guide to Terminal Degrees in Interior Design: MID to PhD

Interior design has come into its own in the 21st century, evolving from an applied practice into an academic discipline in its own right. Today's interior design schools support career ambitions ranging from specialty design work to academic scholarship.

PhD, MFA, MID?

Those three letters could make a huge difference in your academic experience and interior design career opportunities. Here's a look at the distinctions among the three degrees, all of which are considered the terminal qualification in their particular area.

Doctoral Degree. The Doctor of Philosophy is the most intensive graduate interior design degree, requiring between four and six years to complete. The degree is designed to prepare you for an academic career as a design scholar and university professor. To this end, the program requires an original research project that advances the field of design scholarship. The PhD emphasizes theory and critical engagement with design over applied practice.

The PhD in Interior Design remains relatively uncommon, although the ranks of online and campus PhD programs are growing. As of December 2006, DesignIntelligence listed fourteen interior design doctoral programs nationwide. An alternate source of doctoral-level education is the Doctor of Architecture (DArch) with a concentration in interior design. This professional practice doctorate offered through architecture schools emphasizes the application of existing research to practical design problems.

Terminal Master's Degree. The standard qualification in the field remains the terminal master's degree. There are two options:

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Interior Design, the most common qualification, is a studio practice degree designed to deepen your design skills through both advanced technical training and critical engagement with design. Although the program emphasizes the completion of a design project rather than scholarship, you study design theory and use this perspective to inform your work.

The Master of Interior Design (MID) emphasizes design scholarship and advanced techniques to prepare you for a career in design instruction. The Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) recognizes the MID as the terminal "professional" teaching degree--distinct from, but an equivalent alternative to, the PhD. The MID is distinct in its integration of "both professional design content ad research methods." Like the DArch, its focus is on applying theoretical research to design practice.

Consult WorldWideLearn.com for more information on the distinctions among master's degrees and Online PhD Degrees and Doctoral Programs.

Specializations

Interior design specializations run the gamut from visual arts and architecture topics to technical specialties.

Specialization options emphasizing design theory and practice fundamentals include:

• Interior Design Systems and Practices
• Design Planning and Analysis
• Interior Design Theory

Applied specializations emphasize a particular area of practice:

• Materials Performance and Design Applications
• Housing, Neighborhood Design, and Sustainability
• Facility Management and Design
• Universal Design and Accessibility
• Lighting Design
• Furniture Design
• Historical Preservation

Technical specializations include:

• Organizational Systems and Design
• Interior Design Visualization Technology
• Building Construction and Support Systems

Your academic interests could influence which degree is right for you. PhD, MID, and MFA in Interior Design programs emphasize different specializations, in line with the focus of the degree (academic or applied).

Career Track

A PhD or MFA in Interior design leads to either an academic career or a professional design career.

As an academic, you may choose to focus on:

• Teaching
• Research and scholarship
• Editing and publishing design journals or books
• Expert consulting to museums and historical societies

As a professional interior designer, you may work for a:

• Design or architecture firm, as a designer, project manager, or digital visualization specialist
• Retail store, drawing on both design and merchandising skills
• Theater or movie production company, designing sets and lighting
• Design company, as a product or furniture developer
• Media publication, covering design trends as a journalist
• Major facility, as a full-time design manager

Or you may establish your own private interior design studio, taking on private clients or consulting with clients in government, education, or healthcare.

Interior design projects range from residential to commercial designs. Some of the contexts in which you might apply your creative vision include:

• Civic buildings (government facilities, airports)
• Community spaces (museums, theaters)
• Healthcare facilities (hospitals, clinics)
• Hospitality businesses (hotels, resorts, restaurants, nightclubs)
• Homes (houses, apartments, urban low-income housing developments)

Design career options can be overwhelming. WorldWideLearn.com's Career Pathways resource offers career planning and assessment tools to help you focus your career goals.

How to Apply for the PhD, MFA, or MID in Interior Design

Once you've decided which degree and career track to pursue, applying to programs becomes a matchmaking exercise. Your goal is to find the programs that align best with your interests and ambitions. You can also download WorldWideLearn.com's The Insider's College Guide for Working Adults to get a general orientation and find resources for returning students preparing for college.

This step-by-step guide takes you through the process of researching graduate programs and identifying the schools that match your needs. You'll find links to useful online resources for each step.

Step One: Develop a List of Accredited Programs

Goal: Compile a list of accredited interior design programs that offer your desired degree: a PhD, MID, and MFA in Interior Design.

Start your quest for the perfect school by assembling a comprehensive list of institutions that offer the degree you're seeking. Online directories, accrediting agency member lists, and print resources can help you complete this step.

Accreditation is the baseline requirement for any interior design program on your list. This independent validation of quality not only ensures the value of your degree, but also qualifies you to sit the NCIDQ licensing exam, if you haven't already done so. Accreditation is also a requirement for federal student financial aid programs. Find out more about the accreditation process at WorldWideLearn.com. The U.S. Department of Education maintains a database of approved accreditation agencies.

Resources

The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), the national accrediting agency of interior design schools, maintains a list of its 150+ members in good standing. CIDA is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as an accreditation authority for professional-level programs.

WorldWideLearn.com features a database of accredited online MFA, MID, and PhD programs in interior design. Search Degrees by Subject to find an online or campus program, or browse a list of university partners. All programs on WorldWideLearn.com meet a high quality standard that includes accreditation.

DesignIntelligence publishes America's Best Architecture & Design Schools--2009 Edition. This print publication is a useful handbook for applying to ID graduate schools.

Step Two: Online or Campus Format?

Goal: Narrow your list by deciding which format is right for you: an online or campus graduate degree program.

You can find both online and campus PhD and MFA formats. The right choice for you depends on a number of factors--your personal circumstances, learning style, and career goals.

Online PhD and master's degrees in interior design. Multimedia education technology makes it possible to get a graduate degree online--you can even find an online PhD in Interior Design. Online doctoral or master's degrees are a good option for working professionals, who can take advantage of the convenient asynchronous format. Many online doctorates and terminal degrees encourage students already working in interior design to apply their research in the workplace. The online PhD in Interior Design also appeals to independent learners who can benefit from the self-directed nature of the program.

Campus graduate programs in interior design offer distinct benefits for students heading into academic careers. Faculty mentorship, teaching assistantships, and campus facilities such as libraries and design labs contribute to the academic experience.

Resources

WorldWideLearn.com offers more information on program formats in the Online Degree Programs and Campus Education sections. You can also search for programs that offer your preferred learning format. If you choose a campus program, search campus degrees by location.

Step Three: Explore Academic Programs

Goal: Refine your list by exploring academic programs, identifying programs that align closely with your interests.

At this critical stage in the research process you need to dig a little deeper into the programs on your list. The goal is to find programs that match your interests--and identify potential faculty mentors.

Take into account the following factors:

• Faculty research
• Facilities: technology labs, design equipment, library collections
• Specializations
• Curriculum and course requirements
• Special programs: internships, design exhibitions

Pay particular attention to the resources available to you. Faculty experts, facilities, and special programs in your field of concentration can help you achieve your potential.

Resources

WorldWideLearn.com eases the school research process by putting you in touch with schools that match your criteria. Fill out an online form indicating your academic program preferences and the system automatically matches you with educational partners that fit the bill. School representatives contact you directly to answer your questions about the program, which saves you time.

School Web sites offer a wealth of information. You can find information about course requirements and school resources, as well as links to faculty and student design work, personal Web pages, and course reading lists.

Academic Journals can help you identify the thought leaders and design experts in your field, and direct you to schools at the forefront of interior design. Major publications include:

• Journal of Interior Design
• Interior Design
• Contract
• Interiors and Sources
• Architectural Digest

InformeDesign can get you up to speed in interior design research and trends. Sponsored by the University of Minnesota, this organization maintains a free searchable database of interior design research summaries.

Step Four: Evaluate Program Quality

Goal: Prepare your final list of six to ten graduate interior design programs that represent the best value to you.

Last but not least, evaluate the schools on your list, choosing those that meet your quality standards but don't exceed your reach as a degree candidate. Use selectivity data to gauge your admission prospects.

Factors to consider include:

• Reputation
• Selectivity
• Graduation Rate
• Job Placement Statistics
• Career Support Resources
• Student Body Profile
• Cost and Financial Aid

Resources

U.S. News & World Report publishes a specialized ranking of Best Graduate Schools in Fine Arts: Interior Design.

DesignIntelligence's regularly updated publication America's Best Architecture & Design Schools is an invaluable resource for researching schools. In addition to design program rankings, you can find charts, graphs, data, and analysis of interior design programs. Examples of key information include licensing exam pass rates of graduates.

School Statistics offer a detailed picture of the degree's value and quality. Ask admissions or academic counselors at your top schools for data such as placement history of recent graduates, and student demographics.

Campus Visits give you an intuitive sense of the graduate student experience as well as an opportunity to tour campus facilities and meet with potential faculty mentors.

Preparing for a PhD or MFA in Interior Design

Once you've created a shortlist of campus or online programs in interior design, you're ready to set the application wheels in motion. Use this guide along with WorldWideLearn.com's Education Resources Guide as you complete the application checklist. The Education Resources Guide features information on financial aid, online learning, test preparation courses, and more.

1. Complete prerequisites

Standard prerequisites for PhD, MFA, and MID programs include:

• Master's or bachelor's degree in interior design or architecture, with coursework in technical design applications such as CAD
• Portfolio of your interior design work (particularly important for the studio MFA)
• GRE test (particularly important for academic degrees)

2. Assemble and submit application materials

Standard application materials for graduate interior design programs include:

• Academic transcripts
• Standardized test scores
• Letters of recommendation from faculty or professional colleagues
• Portfolio (may not be required for an academic degree)
• Personal statement

3. Line up financial aid

Schools offer their own financial aid packages, which may include tuition waivers, scholarships, or teaching assistantships. You may need to secure supplemental funding from outside sources. Options include federal and private student loans, private scholarships, and corporate sponsorships.

For more information, visit the WorldWideLearn.com resource page on graduate education funding.

4. Build your network

Networking is an important part of the graduate student experience. Start building relationships now by:

• Subscribing to academic and professional publications
• Attending conferences, design exhibitions, and networking events
• Joining professional associations. Major academic and professional organizations include:
  • ASID (American Society of Interior Designers)
  • IDC (Interior Designers of Canada)
  • IDEC (Interior Design Educators Council)
  • IIDA (The International Interior Design Association)
  • NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification)

Joining the Interior Design Academic Community

With planning and vision, you can position yourself for success in an interior design program. The PhD, MFA, and MID degrees in interior design all represent the pinnacle of achievement in their respective areas of practice. These terminal degrees empower you to take your interior design career to the next level, whether it's as an academic thought leader or a professional practice innovator.

Sources

• American Society of Interior Designers
• Arizona State University, PhD Program in Environmental Design and Planning
• Atlantic International University (AIU), Doctor of Interior Design (PhD)
• Bard Graduate Center: Decorative Arts, Design History, Material Culture, Doctoral Program
• Council for Interior Design Accreditation, Accredited Programs in Interior Design
• DesignIntelligence, America's Best Architecture and Design Schools, 2009 Edition
• DesignIntelligence, Doctorate Programs in Architecture and Design
• Eastern Michigan University, Interior Design Program Ph.D.
• IDEC, Defining Graduate Education in Interior Design
• IDEC, The Interior Design Career Guide
• Iowa State University, Interior Design Graduate Programs
• NCIDQ, NCIDQ Definition of Interior Design
• Parsons SCE, MFA in ID
• U.S. Department of Education, Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs