Post-Professional
Master of Fine Arts
in Interior Design

 
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If you’re interested in exploring interior design on a deeper level, and aspire to become a leader in the field, the Post-Professional MFA might be for you.

The Post-Professional Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design (MFA2) is a two-year, terminal degree program that provides professionals in interior design, architecture, environmental design, and closely related fields with the opportunity for advanced creative and academic scholarship in interior design. This full-time program is our most conceptual and is open to those who have a professional degree in interior design, architecture, or a related field.

For more information about the MFA2 program, contact Dean Ellen Fisher at 212.452.4170.

There are four components to the program: a core design studio sequence, specialty studios, lectures/ seminars, and electives. Students experience a diverse array of interdisciplinary design approaches and project types. The thesis, required as a culminating project, consists of directed research followed by a studio project. Each student must demonstrate originality, research and design skills, and creative capacity to resolve advanced problems in design. The thesis is presented to a graduate faculty jury for evaluation.

Students graduate with a deep understanding of the nature of design of the built environment, the ability to articulate and resolve advanced problems in design, and are prepared to become leaders of the profession.

  • This program requires full-time study

  • Applicants must have a professional degree in interior design, architecture, engineering, or a closely related field

  • Advanced portfolio required for admission


Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design (MFA2) curriculum (60 Credits)

 
  • Design Studio I
    History & Theory of Interior Design I: The Classical Tradition
    Specialty Studio
    Electives

  • Design Studio II
    History & Theory of Interior Design II: The Modern Tradition
    Specialty Studio
    Electives

  • Directed Thesis Research
    2 Speciality Studios
    Lecture/Seminar
    Electives

  • Thesis studio
    Specialty Studio
    Electives

 
 

Speciality Studios

Product Design
Lighting Design
Set Design
Retail Design
Green Design
Furniture Design
Hospitality Design
Exhibition Design
Landscape Design

Lectures/Seminars

Office Design
Sociology of the Domestic Interior
Sociology of the Contemporary Environment
History & Theory of Aesthetics

 

Electives
Students may choose elective from both undergraduate or graduate course offerings with approval of their advisor. No core BFA studios may be used as electives.

NYSID Faculty

New York School of Interior Design is a great learning institution because of its faculty. They come from a wide variety of backgrounds and bring practical and theoretical experience from their professional lives.

We have more than 100 faculty members who are practicing designers at many of the top design firms in the country: GenslerHOKPerkins+Will, Rockwell Group, and Robert A.M. Stern Architects to name a few. Many are also principals of their own firms--for instance Kati Curtis of Kati Curtis Design, Stefan Steil of Steilish Interiors & Architecture, and Warren Ashworth of his self-titled architecture firm.


See Yourself Here: NYSID Profiles


Advisory Board

NYSID advisory boards are voluntary boards of leaders who serve to guide and advocate for the college's programs.

The Graduate Center

Located at 28th Street and Park Avenue South, NYSID’s LEED-Platinum certified Graduate Center, designed by Gensler, is home to 150+ graduate students. The Graduate Center houses classrooms, studios with dedicated workspaces, exhibition space, a materials library, and a student lounge. Interiors & Sources magazine called it a “facility that fosters community and collaboration, and embodies the essence of the ‘studio’ atmosphere.”