Interior Design

The focus of the MFA1 program is on the ability to formulate, propose, and work out design solutions that are safe, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing. The curriculum emphasizes research and analysis applied to a wide range of user groups, taking into account global practice, sustainable design, and social justice. The program is also structured to allow for ample opportunities to work outside the classroom, with an Experiential Learning course offered in the summer where students can do internships, independent study, study travel, or community/service learning. 

Graduates of the program are provided with the necessary skills to participate in leading the discipline into the future. In combination with the required professional experience, the curriculum satisfies the educational requirements for membership in national and local interior design associations and, with work experience, allows graduates to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam for interior design certification.

• The program requires full-time study
• The program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)
• Applicants can have an undergraduate degree in a field unrelated to design; portfolio is optional for admission

Per CIDA’s requirement, MFA1 graduates are required to complete 30 semester credit hours of diverse college-level liberal arts and science courses. Most students satisfy this by combining NYSID courses with courses taken from previously attended institutions. If a student does not have sufficient liberal arts and science courses from prior institutions, they will be required to take additional courses at NYSID that comply with CIDA’s requirement.