Interior Architecture & Design is a Master Degree program offered by Academy of Art University in San Francisco, CA. The program takes 63 units to complete, with a total tuition of $97,713.
Program Overview
The MFA program focuses on advanced techniques and theory of interior architecture and design. The curriculum—designed and taught by industry professionals—focuses on research, concept and design development, traditional and digital media, innovative ideas, and global issues.
The interior design program leading to the Master of Fine Arts [MFA] in Interior Architecture & Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, [a href="https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/ckuqCOYEJEcp80qwfYOjcF?domain=accredit-id.org"]www.accredit-id.org
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The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, for advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations. The Master of Fine Arts [MFA] in Interior Architecture & Design granted by Academy of Art University meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). For more information about NCIDQ Exam eligibility visit: https://www.cidq.org/eligibility-requirements.
Here, learning is hands-on from day one. You’ll tackle 2D and 3D design challenges—sketching, modeling, and presenting scaled concepts that push ideas into reality.
Projects fuse conceptual vision with practical application, giving you real-world skills you’ll carry from studio to job site. Guided by faculty who are active in the industry, you’ll sharpen your craft across aesthetics, business strategy, and advanced tools like visualization and BIM.
Whether you want to lead design teams, craft immersive experiences, or reimagine what interiors can be, this program is your launchpad. This isn’t just design school, it’s the beginning of your career.
What sets this Program apart
Create dynamic interiors using innovative approaches to space, materials, and light. Beginning with your first semester in our STEM-designated, CIDA-accredited program, you’ll create spaces that change the way people live, work, and connect.
You’ll move from design fundamentals into full commercial projects, developing research-driven solutions. Along the way, you’ll gain fluency in the design process: concept development, documentation, presentation, and execution.
Sustainability is built into the curriculum. You’ll explore environmentally conscious design, learning how to conserve resources, choose non-toxic materials, and design for harmony with the natural world.
Admission Requirements and Process
The Academy requires graduate applicants to demonstrate their ability and intent to complete a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA) or Master of Architecture program (M. Arch.). After submitting the application form and application fee, graduate applicants must submit a statement of intent, a résumé, college transcripts showing completion of at least a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent, and a portfolio/reel. Upon receiving all application requirements, the department will review and will recommend that the student be accepted, not accepted or allowed to enroll in Graduate Preparatory Coursework.
General Requirements
- Bachelor’s degreeTranscripts must show completion of at least a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent; you must submit official or unofficial transcripts from the institution from which you graduated.
- Application and feeSubmit the graduate application form and the $50 non-refundable application fee.
- Statement of IntentSubmit an explanation of Graduate School goals and desired outcomes of the graduate degree in a one page, typed essay.
- RésuméSubmit an itemized list of educational and professional experience.
- Portfolio/ReelA body of work representing the chosen discipline is required for class placement in the graduate program; additional materials may be required by the specific departments.
- Department reviewUpon receiving all application requirements, the department will review and will recommend that the student be accepted, not accepted or allowed to enroll in Graduate Preparatory…
Application Process
- 1Meet with an Admissions SpecialistSchedule a meeting with one of our admissions specialists. They’ll guide you to the school and program that best fits your goals and help you navigate the application process.
- 2Apply for admissionSubmit the graduate application form and the $50 non-refundable application fee.
- 3Send your supporting documentsSubmit your Statement of Intent, résumé and college transcripts showing completion of at least a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent.
- 4Submit your portfolio/reelSubmit a body of work representing your chosen discipline; registration for the appropriate classes is based on the skills demonstrated in the portfolio/reel.
- 5Department reviewThe department reviews your application and recommends that you be accepted, not accepted or allowed to enroll in Graduate Preparatory Coursework.
- 6File the FAFSAComplete the FAFSA online at studentaid.gov and use Academy of Art University’s Federal School ID Number: 007531.FAFSA Code for San Francisco Campus: 007531
Program Schedule
Start dates. Spring 2027 semester starts 2/3/2027 (application deadline 1/25/2027); Summer 2027 starts 6/21/2027 (deadline 6/14/2027); Fall 2027 starts 9/8/2027 (deadline 8/30/2027).
Graduate students must carry a minimum study load of 9 units to be considered as full-time students. Students are expected to attend summer semesters to meet their scheduled completion date.
On-site classes are offered Monday through Saturday in time blocks of 8am-11am, 11am-2pm, 2pm-5pm and 5pm-8pm, with Saturday classes from 9:30am-12:30pm and 1pm-4:30pm.
- February 03rd, 2027
- June 21st, 2027
- September 08th, 2027
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Tuition. Graduate & Art Teaching Credential tuition for Fall 2026–Summer 2027 is $1,551 per unit for domestic students ($1,857 per unit for international students); tuition is the same for both on-campus and online classes. This 63-unit program’s tuition is $97,713 for domestic students.
Fees.
- Application Fee: $50 (one-time, nonrefundable)
- Registration Fee: $50 per semester (nonrefundable after the cancellation period)
- Enrollment Fee: $95 for first-term domestic students, charged in lieu of the $50 registration fee ($100 for international students)
- Student Activity Fee: $30 per semester, on-site only; waived for students taking all courses online
- Student Tuition Recovery Fund: $0
- Course fees vary by course; fees may be different for on-campus sections and online sections
- Materials/Supplies: $545 average per semester
Estimated total program cost for a full-time, onsite, domestic student (effective fall semester 2026): application fee $50, enrollment fee $95, registration fees $300, student activity fees $210, estimated course fees $2,248–$5,412, for an estimated $100,616–$103,780 due for the entire program.
Payment options. Academy of Art offers many different ways to help you structure your payments, including interest-free installment plans and pre-payment options. The installment plan enables students to pay their tuition in four separate payments during Fall and Spring and two separate payments for Summer.
Financial aid. Federal aid available to Academy of Art University graduate students includes Federal Work Study, Direct Stafford (unsubsidized) Loans and Direct Graduate PLUS Loans. Complete the FAFSA using Academy of Art University’s Federal School ID Number: 007531.
Military and veterans. The Academy processes the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33), the Yellow Ribbon Program, Montgomery GI Bill® (Chapters 30 and 1606), Veteran Readiness & Employment (Chapter 31), DEA (Chapter 35), Military Tuition Assistance and MyCAA.
Net Price Calculator. Estimate your cost with the Academy of Art University Net Price Calculator: https://npc.collegeboard.org/student/app/academyart
Living expenses. The cost of attendance budget includes the costs of tuition and fees, books, supplies, monthly allowances for room and board, transportation to and from school, and personal expenses such as clothes. Estimates of (Monthly) Living Expenses, 2026-2027:
- Food & Housing: $1,393 (student living with parents); $2,729 (student not living with parents); $4,133 (student living on campus, avg.)
- Personal Expenses: $507; $634; $441
- Transportation: $134; $184; $154
Federal student loan debt. From the program’s School Performance Fact Sheet:
- Most recent three year cohort default rate, as reported by the United States Department of Education: 2023: 0%; 2024: 0%.
- The percentage of enrolled students in 2023/2024 receiving federal student loans to pay for this program: 2023: 48%; 2024: 53%.
- The percentage of graduates in 2023/2024 who took out federal student loans to pay for this program: 2023: 50%; 2024: 33%.
- The average amount of federal student loan debt of 2023/2024 graduates who took out federal student loans at this institution: 2023: $14,395; 2024: $14,864.
Curriculum
Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree – Major Classes.
This program is available online and on campus.
Unit Requirements.
- Major Coursework: 30 units
- Major by Advisement: 6 units
- Directed Study: 18 units
- Graduate Liberal Arts: 9 units
- Total: 63 units
MFA Interior Architecture & Design Degree Requirements.
- Successful completion of Final Thesis Project.
- Minimum grade of C in all required 63 units.
- Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA and the following Academic Study requirements:
- 1 Art Historical Awareness & Aesthetic Sensitivity course
- 1 Cross Cultural Understanding course
- 1 Professional Practices & Communications course
- A minimum of thirty semester credits of college-level liberal arts and sciences (general education) must be completed.
- Note: this will include credits earned from the student’s bachelor degree.
Program Learning Outcomes.
Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
Human & Global Centered Design
- Apply concepts of environmental psychology in the creation of interior environments addressing the interplay of humans and their physical environments enriching the quality of life
Design Process & Conceptual Thinking
- Produce a problem statement for the development of a thesis project contributing to the needs of a community or specialty area of design
- Research user needs to inform the programming document
- Produce schematic design solutions that meet programmatic requirements and conceptual intent culminating in the creation of volumetric spaces
- Create refined and holistic design solutions culminating in a design development presentation
- Produce construction documentation of interior buildings and FF & E specifications, based on the holistic design solutions
Furnishings & Materiality
- Apply furnishings, fixtures, & equipment, and interior construction materiality that enhance the aesthetic and ecological qualities of the design while providing for the programmatic requirements and conceptual design intent
Fundamentals of Design
- Apply aesthetics responsive to the programmatic requirements and design intent through the elements and principles of two- and three-dimensional design, including color principles and theories, across all platforms
- Demonstrate an understanding of movements and traditions in interior design, architecture, furnishings, and the visual arts
Integrated Design
- Demonstrate an understanding of major construction types and building systems, through design decisions
- Demonstrate an understanding of the laws, codes, and federal regulations impacting life safety, accessibility, and energy efficiency through application of these professional standards to design solutions
Oral, Visual, & Written Literacy
- Communicate and defend design solutions in oral and written presentations that support the project requirements and design intent, and exhibit a logical sequencing and hierarchy of information
- Demonstrate use of a wide range of visual media with professional craftsmanship to communicate ideas and solutions, including freehand & digital drawing and drafting, three-dimensional models, rendered presentations, and ideation sketching
Professional Practice & Collaboration
- Demonstrate an understanding of professional practice, business and contract procedures, and business ethics
- Collaborate with other disciplines on processes and solutions to produce a creative interior environment
- Produce a portfolio, including the incorporation of a thesis project, and identity system to qualify for a design position in interior architecture and design
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
In our CIDA-accredited program, you’ll create spaces that transform how people live, work, and connect. With sustainability as a core value and high-impact projects as your proving ground, you’ll graduate ready to lead and redefine the future of design.
- AutoCAD/BIM Designer
- FF&E Designer
- Job Captain
- Project Designer
- Visualization Specialist
Program performance. From the program’s School Performance Fact Sheet filed with the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (calendar years 2023 & 2024, revised November 25, 2025):
- On-Time Completion Rate: 2023: 8% (6 of 75 students available for graduation); 2024: 5% (3 of 65 students available for graduation).
- Placement Rate % Employed in the Field: 2023: 14% (1 of 7 graduates available for employment); 2024: 18% (2 of 11 graduates available for employment).
- License Examination Passage Rates: Not Applicable.
- Annual salary and wages reported for 2023 graduates employed in the field (1): $55,001 - $60,000: 1.
- Annual salary and wages reported for 2024 graduates employed in the field (2): $85,001 - $90,000: 1; more than $100,000: 1.
Graduation and retention rates (university-wide).
- Graduate Students (Full-time): % of all incoming full-time students (503) in Fall 2019 graduated in 5 years: 75%.
- Retention Rates – 2024 Cohort: All incoming full-time graduate students (199) in Fall 2024 re-enrolled in Fall 2025: 81%.
Professional licensure.
Our Bachelor of Fine Art and Master of Fine Art in Interior Architecture & Design are professional degree programs accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and meet the educational prerequisites for the following jurisdictions with regulations that require certification and registration to practice interior design: Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Washington DC. Other jurisdictions do not require a professional degree from CIDA-accredited programs for licensure.
As eligibility for licensure is often based on both education and experience, we encourage all prospective and enrolled students to contact the Council for Interior Design Qualification (https://www.cidq.org/) for complete and current information on licensure requirements specific to the state or territory where they plan to work.
What to expect as a Academy of Art University student
Academy Award winners. Tech founders. Creative directors. CEOs. They join us live and on Zoom from around the world. They speak from experience. About the work. The risk. The path forward. No theory. Just real stories from people who’ve done it.
Every student is welcome. On campus or online. To listen. To ask questions. To make connections. These are conversations, not lectures.
Student Clubs
Whether you are an on-campus or online student you are welcome to join our student clubs. You’ll meet up, share ideas, and create art together. Sometimes it’s a quick sketch. Sometimes it turns into something big, a collaboration that lasts a lifetime. It’s always fun.
Campus Address
Why Accreditation Is Important
Academy of Art University is institutionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), currently on warning; its accredited status continues during the Warning period.
The BFA and MFA Interior Architecture & Design programs are accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).
Approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).
- A reliable indicator of quality
- Approved program of study
- Qualified instructors
- Recognition by employers nationwide
Accreditations
Student Demographics
These are demographics for all students at the San Francisco Campus (IPEDS, 2024).
Percentages are of total fall enrollment. 910 students whose race or ethnicity was not reported are included in that total but shown as no category, so the figures above come to 83.4% rather than 100%.
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