Graduate Degrees

Ephemeral whispy lines
Interior Design Graduate Degrees
HOW TO APPLY

The  Interior Design Program at The University of Texas at Austin offers an innovative graduate curriculum that integrates research and theoretical knowledge in the application of current design issues that face our society. The positive impact of a well-designed interior environment is verifiable, making interior design a critical component of the design disciplines.

The program is among only a handful of interior design faculties in the United States housed within a large and active School of Architecture creating a dynamic atmosphere that allows students to achieve a high level of excellence in the design of architectural interiors. 

With a faculty of four full-time interior design professors along with full-time and affiliated faculty in the School of Architecture, the program offers both broad coverage and an individualized program tailored to student interests. The program is founded on rigorous instruction while also offering students the flexibility to develop their own ideas and new perspectives. The study of interior design at the graduate level is taught with constant awareness of global context, interdisciplinary challenges, and evolving demands that students experience in professional practice.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDY

Students work closely with faculty in courses, seminars, and independent research projects to develop independent thought as well as a thorough knowledge of the field. Students may combine their research on interior design topics with a broad array of related subjects. Cross-disciplinary work in the School of Architecture’s other programs of Historic Preservation, Architectural Design, Theory, and History is encouraged.

As a major research university, The University of Texas at Austin also offers a wide selection of across-campus electives, including courses in Arts Education and Design, Theater and Dance, Radio-Television-Film, American Studies, Anthropology, Psychology, and Museum Studies, to name a few. Students are encouraged to shape their own critical approaches and to develop a mastery of research in interior design. With the advice and permission of the MID program director or MID graduate adviser, students may select elective courses from other departments on campus.

AREAS OF STUDY

Design model with tiny figurines in a dark room with dozens of gold balls in an artistic display on the wall

MASTER OF INTERIOR DESIGN FIRST PROFESSIONAL [MID I]

MID I may qualify graduates to become licensed or registered as an interior designer. Interested students are encouraged to confirm requirements for the state in which they hope to practice and NCIDQ eligibility requirements.

Black and white geometric facade

MASTER OF INTERIOR DESIGN POST-PROFESSIONAL [MID II]

The MID II degree offers students advanced studies, theory, and research for those holding a prior professional degree in Interior Design or Architecture.

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS

Interior design faculty members in the School of Architecture review the applications and recommend admission to the Graduate School. Admission to the program is highly competitive. Seminars are small and advanced students work one-on-one with their adviser and other faculty members. With the advice and permission of the MID program director or MID graduate adviser, students in the MID program determine their course of study that is tailored to be highly individualized from course offerings and independent studies.

INTERIOR DESIGN STUDENT WORK

Click the images below for project details.

  • Instagram Post
    “The Nature of Reality: The Diaspora of Tibetan Buddhism in Austin” by Benjamin Boehle, Nicholas Jones @11nickjones and Shannon Stack @shannon_stack for Adam Barbe’s @adambarbe  Landscape Architecture III course // 2023-2024 Design Excellence winner<br>
    @utsoa

    “The Nature of Reality: The Diaspora of Tibetan Buddhism in Austin” by Benjamin Boehle, Nicholas Jones @11nickjones and Shannon Stack @shannon_stack for Adam Barbe’s @adambarbe Landscape Architecture III course // 2023-2024 Design Excellence winner

  • Instagram Post
    We’re thrilled to celebrate alumnus Jim Susman &amp; Professor Emeritus Sinclair Black as Texas Society of Architects 2024 Award Winners!<br>&nbsp;<br>🏅Jim Susman, FAIA: The Medal for Lifetime Achievement (TxA’s highest honor)<br>&nbsp;
    @utsoa

    We’re thrilled to celebrate alumnus Jim Susman & Professor Emeritus Sinclair Black as Texas Society of Architects 2024 Award Winners!
     
    🏅Jim Susman, FAIA: The Medal for Lifetime Achievement (TxA’s highest honor)
     

  • Instagram Post
    Books aren’t the only items UTSOA students are buying for their studies ✍️ Through the collaborative support of faculty, administration, and the @utsoatechlab, our newly opened Fabrication Media Store is making basic materials more affordable and accessible for students!<br>&nbsp;
    @utsoa

    Books aren’t the only items UTSOA students are buying for their studies ✍️ Through the collaborative support of faculty, administration, and the @utsoatechlab, our newly opened Fabrication Media Store is making basic materials more affordable and accessible for students!
     

  • Instagram Post
    Congratulations to Master of Architecture students Paula Cano and Ciara Hackman for winning the 2024 Student Design Award from AIA Dallas! @aiadallas <br>&nbsp;
    @utsoa

    Congratulations to Master of Architecture students Paula Cano and Ciara Hackman for winning the 2024 Student Design Award from AIA Dallas! @aiadallas
     

  • Instagram Post
    On Wednesday, Brooklyn-based artist Olalekan Jeyifous @kidcadaver will guide us through his unique professional trajectory and discursive practice in his lecture, “The Road Became a River: Possibilities and Parallels.”<br>
    @utsoa

    On Wednesday, Brooklyn-based artist Olalekan Jeyifous @kidcadaver will guide us through his unique professional trajectory and discursive practice in his lecture, “The Road Became a River: Possibilities and Parallels.”

  • Instagram Post
    On Monday, the landscape architect Kristina Hill drkzhill will present her lecture “Design for Sea Level Rise: How to Drop the Mic and Change the Conversation.” The lecture will take place Monday, Sept. 16 at 5:00 pm in the Goldsmith Lecture Hall. Details at the link in our bio.<br>
    @utsoa

    On Monday, the landscape architect Kristina Hill drkzhill will present her lecture “Design for Sea Level Rise: How to Drop the Mic and Change the Conversation.” The lecture will take place Monday, Sept. 16 at 5:00 pm in the Goldsmith Lecture Hall. Details at the link in our bio.

  • Instagram Post
    A big SOA welcome to the three visiting faculty members joining the School of Architecture this semester: Karel Klein, Andy Bako and Michael Moynihan.<br>
    @utsoa

    A big SOA welcome to the three visiting faculty members joining the School of Architecture this semester: Karel Klein, Andy Bako and Michael Moynihan.

  • Instagram Post
    Next week we’re hosting the Black Home as Public Art symposium, a one-and-a-half-day symposium examining creative notions of the Black home in the United States.<br>
    @utsoa

    Next week we’re hosting the Black Home as Public Art symposium, a one-and-a-half-day symposium examining creative notions of the Black home in the United States.

  • Instagram Post
    Congratulations to the three UTSOA faculty members who were recently promoted!<br>
    @utsoa

    Congratulations to the three UTSOA faculty members who were recently promoted!