Masters in Interior Architecture

3 Years On Campus Masters Program

Arizona State University Tempe

Program Overview

The Master of Interior Architecture (MIA) at Arizona State University – Tempe is a studio-based professional degree designed for students who want to advance into interior architecture and shape the built environment through creative, technical, and evidence-based design. The program develops advanced skills in interior architecture through design studios, materials, sustainability, environmental systems, lighting, construction, professional practice, and design theory, with a pathway available for students entering from fields other than interior design or architecture.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build advanced design and technical capabilities through courses such as INT 519 Designing with Materials, INT 521 Advanced Interior Architecture Studio I, and INT 527 Contemporary Design Theory. The studio work connects material selection, interior construction, design theory, and the relationship between building systems and human behavior, establishing a strong foundation for more complex professional projects.

Year 2: Students move into more complex interior architecture challenges through INT 522 Advanced Interior Architecture Studio II, INT 550 Environmental Systems of Interior Architecture, and INT 554 Construction Documents for Interior Architecture. They investigate construction, technology, environmental determinants, building systems, and professional documentation while strengthening their ability to translate design concepts into technically developed interior environments.

Year 3: The three-plus pathway is intended for students entering from a bachelor's degree in a field other than interior design, interior architecture, or architecture, with preparatory study preceding the advanced MIA curriculum. The program culminates in INT 621 Advanced Interior Architecture Studio III, INT 622 Advanced Interior Architecture Studio IV, and professional components such as INT 520 Professional Practice for Interior Architecture and INT 584 Internship, allowing students to integrate design, collaboration, technical proficiency, and professional practice.

Focus areas: Interior architecture, advanced design, materials, sustainability, adaptive reuse, environmental systems, lighting design, construction documentation, design theory, design criticism, professional practice, technology, health equity, and community resilience.

Learning outcomes: Students learn to perform professional-level design tasks including drafting, collaboration and technical work; synthesize iterative design ideas into built-work proposals using History, Context, Program, Technology, Construction and Representation; and develop collaborative relationships that support co-creation in design.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The Master of Interior Architecture is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), and completion of the program qualifies graduates to gain professional work experience and subsequently sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination, subject to applicable requirements.

Reputation (employability rankings): ASU states that The Design School's programs are ranked among the top 20 in the nation; ASU's official 2024 student achievement data also reports that 92% of MIA graduates from 2023 were employed in interior design or a related profession.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Master of Interior Architecture at Arizona State University is a studio-based program built around practical design development, technical proficiency, and collaborative problem-solving. Students work within The Design School’s interdisciplinary environment and use dedicated design facilities to develop, test, model, represent, and present interior architecture projects, while the curriculum connects materials, professional practice, history, theory, and contemporary social and environmental issues.

Students gain hands-on experience through the program’s studio culture and access to specialized facilities and resources:

Studio-based learning: The MIA is structured as a studio-based degree, with students developing design solutions through iterative, practical work and a required INT 622 capstone.
Materials exploration: INT 519 Designing with Materials gives students focused experience with materials as part of the program’s required core, supporting the development of technically informed interior environments.
Professional practice: INT 520 Professional Practice for Interior Architecture connects students with the professional side of the discipline, complementing their studio and technical development.
Collaborative learning: Students learn and collaborate with complementary design disciplines within The Design School, creating a transdisciplinary environment where different perspectives can inform interior architecture solutions.
Digital Lab: The Design School provides a dedicated Digital Lab as part of its specialized facilities, supporting digital design and production activities.
Prototype/Modeling Shop: Students have access to the Prototype/Modeling Shop, providing facilities for physical prototyping and model development.
Print and Computer Lab: The Print and Computer Lab supports students' digital production and presentation needs as part of The Design School’s dedicated facilities.
Design Library: The Design Library provides a specialized academic resource within The Design School for design-related study and research.
Design exhibitions: Red Square showcases student work, faculty research, and design projects, including exhibitions specifically covering interior design, giving students opportunities to see and engage with design work produced within the school.
Interdisciplinary environment: The MIA is positioned within the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, allowing students to collaborate across complementary disciplines and approach interior architecture through multiple problem-solving perspectives.
Hands-on design emphasis: ASU’s interior design education emphasizes collaborative and hands-on learning, with curriculum areas including materials, lighting, construction methods, technology, history, and theory.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of ASU’s Master of Interior Architecture are prepared for leadership roles in interior architecture, interior design practice, and education, with opportunities across interior design firms, architecture firms, corporations, and government entities. The program’s professional orientation, internship component, CIDA accreditation, and exposure to practicing designers and industry partners support progression into areas such as commercial, hospitality, healthcare, residential, sustainable design, and adaptive-reuse practice.

Typical career roles: Interior Architect, Interior Designer, Design Consultant, Design Educator

Career services: ASU Career and Professional Development Services provides career-focused support, while The Design School connects students with professional opportunities through its creative-career resources and industry engagement.
Industry exposure: MIA students work alongside practicing designers, industry partners, and external jurors who provide mentorship and professional feedback; students can also engage through workshops, exhibitions, design competitions, and the Interior Design Student Association.
Internship experience: The curriculum includes INT 584 Internship, and the program learning outcomes specifically include performing professional-level drafting, collaboration, and technical tasks during an internship.
Employment outcomes: ASU reports that 87% of new graduates were employed, continuing their education, volunteering, or serving in the military within six months of graduation in 2023–24. ASU also reports a $74,700 median full-time graduate salary; this figure is university-wide and is not specific to Interior Architecture.
University–industry connections: ASU Career Services operates an Employer Partner Program designed to increase access to internships and employment opportunities, while The Design School specifically highlights connections with industry partners and practicing professionals.
Accreditation value: The MIA is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). ASU states that completing the degree qualifies graduates to obtain relevant work experience and then sit for the NCIDQ examination, although licensing requirements vary by jurisdiction.
Employability recognition: ASU reports that it is #2 among U.S. public universities for graduate employability, based on its cited Global Employability University Ranking and Survey, 2023–2026. This is an ASU-wide measure rather than an Interior Architecture-specific ranking.
Graduation outcomes: The program prepares graduates for employment in residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, institutional, and healthcare interiors, with additional career specialties including historic restoration, branding, sustainability, new product innovation, and new technology.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the MIA, graduates can continue developing their expertise through further graduate-level study, research, professional specialization, or doctoral education where appropriate. ASU’s interdisciplinary environment also allows students to build connections across architecture, urban planning, industrial design, and related fields, supporting further study or specialization in the broader built-environment disciplines.