Master of Science (MS) in Interior Design: First Professional

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Florida State University

Program Overview

The Master of Science (MS) in Interior Design: First Professional at Florida State University is designed for students with undergraduate degrees in disciplines other than interior design or architecture who wish to enter the interior design profession. The three-year program combines design studios, environmental psychology, sustainability, construction, lighting, and digital design technologies, preparing students to create functional and innovative residential, commercial, healthcare, hospitality, and retail environments.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students develop foundational design knowledge through design studios, hand drawing, and computer-aided design (CAD) laboratories. They explore residential and workplace environments while studying design theory, history, environmental psychology, and visual communication.

Year 2: Students advance their technical and creative capabilities through design studios focused on healthcare, hospitality, and retail environments. They also study construction, interior lighting, sustainability, and professional practice while developing multimedia design presentations.

Year 3: Students strengthen their professional design capabilities through advanced studio projects and applied design coursework. They integrate their knowledge of materials, construction, environmental behaviour, and digital technologies to develop comprehensive interior design solutions. Students may also participate in the university's London study abroad program.

The program requires 74 credit hours and is completed over three years at the Tallahassee campus. The university does not publish a detailed year-wise course sequence on the program overview page.

Focus Areas

Residential design, workplace design, healthcare environments, hospitality design, retail environments, environmental psychology, sustainable design, construction, interior lighting, CAD, multimedia presentations, design theory and history.

Learning Outcomes

Develop functional and innovative interior design solutions.
Apply design principles to different interior environments.
Understand human behaviour and environmental psychology.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

NASAD: Florida State University's graduate Interior Design programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The First Professional MS is designed to prepare students for professional interior design practice and may support eligibility for the NCIDQ examination, subject to experience and examination requirements. Note: CIDA accreditation specifically applies to FSU's undergraduate Interior Design degrees, not the First Professional MS.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Employment outcomes: FSU reports that nearly 100% of its graduate Interior Design students since 2015 secured employment in the design industry or admission to advanced graduate programs within nine months of graduation. Alumni work with organizations including Gensler, HOK, Daimler Chrysler, and Corgan.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Florida State University emphasizes practical, studio-based education, allowing students to develop professional interior design skills through design projects, technical training, internships and material experimentation. Students gain access to specialist fabrication laboratories, computer-aided design facilities and materials testing resources. The curriculum also includes a structured internship and opportunities to participate in an international study-abroad experience in London.

Program-specific practical opportunities:

Integrated Design Studios: Complete sequential studio projects involving spatial planning, design development and professional interior design solutions.
Professional Internship (IND 5948): Complete a three-credit internship as part of the published curriculum, gaining workplace experience in the interior design industry.
CAD Training: Develop technical design and drafting skills through CAD I and CAD II courses.
Construction and Materials: Study construction systems, construction documentation, materials and methods, and lighting applications.
Portfolio Development: Build a professional design portfolio to demonstrate design skills and project experience.
Pre-Design Research and Programming: Investigate client needs, project requirements and spatial functions before developing design solutions.
Study Abroad – London: Explore international design practices and gain exposure to different architectural and interior environments.
Graduate Capstone: Develop and defend an original graduate design project integrating research, programming and professional design development.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Florida State University's M.S. in Interior Design – First Professional can pursue professional opportunities in residential, commercial, healthcare, hospitality and workplace design. The program develops the technical, creative and research capabilities required to manage interior design projects, prepare professional documentation and create functional, sustainable and human-centred environments.

Career Opportunities:

Commercial Interior Designer
Residential Interior Designer
Healthcare Interior Design Specialist
Interior Design Project Manager

University Career Services:

Career Advising: FSU's Career Center provides individual career guidance and connects students with career liaisons who understand their academic discipline and industry.
Resume and Portfolio Development: Receive assistance with resumes, CVs, cover letters and professional portfolio preparation.

Long-term Accreditation Value: The graduate Interior Design programs at FSU are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The First Professional curriculum also prepares students for the NCIDQ examination after fulfilling the required education and professional practice conditions. NCIDQ is a valuable professional qualification for interior designers, although examination eligibility does not guarantee state licensure or registration.

Graduation Outcomes: Graduates develop professional portfolios, practical design experience and the technical knowledge needed to enter the interior design industry. They can progress into design firms, architectural practices, furniture and product companies, healthcare design organizations, hospitality businesses and other built-environment sectors. The program also provides a foundation for students interested in interior design research and teaching.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates interested in advanced research, university teaching or academic careers can pursue the Ph.D. in Interior Design or related design disciplines at universities offering relevant doctoral specializations. At Florida State University, students can explore the MFA in Interior Design, a terminal graduate degree emphasizing advanced design practice, original research and scholarship, subject to admission requirements. Those interested in doctoral study should consider research-focused graduate pathways and verify the specific prerequisites of their intended doctoral program.