Master's Degree in Interior Design

Advance or begin your interior designer career with our completely online master of arts (MA) or master of science (MS) degree in interior design. 

This rigorous and innovative program will equip you to be a professional interior designer, as well as to develop and hone your creative processes in your pursuit of design excellence. The program emphasis is on research and theory (VS design) and during the course of study, you will learn design theory, environmental psychology, graphic communication skills, and design for ergonomic, accessibility, functional, and cultural needs. Your practical skills will be complemented with design theory, critical thinking skills, and other knowledge that will make sure you continue growing and evolving as the needs of our global populations change.

What You Will Study

As a graduate of our program, you will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of interior design as it relates to functional, cultural, and ergonomic needs of diverse populations.
• Demonstrate knowledge of interior design as it relates to human behavior and space programming (for example, research and identification of clients' needs as related to behavioral settings, proxemics, density and crowding, personal space and territory).
• Demonstrate knowledge of graphic communication skills needed for the professional practice of design (for example, digital trends, cutting-edge animation techniques, digital rendering techniques).
• Integrate various approaches and articulations of creative and critical thinking through the study of innovative design methodologies, scholarly design articles related to the social, cultural and economic developments over time, and works of key practitioners, theorists, and critics.
• Demonstrate knowledge in creative expression and intellectual leadership through the study of professional standards, ethical procedures, and transnational models covering management and entrepreneurship policies.
• Develop a commitment to lifelong learning and other creative and intellectual pursuits.

Academic Advisor

Dr. Shireen Kanakri
Assistant Professor of Interior Design
Team Lead for the Ball State University Health Environmental Design Research Lab

Why a Master's Degree in Interior Design?

Advancing your interior design career goals with a master's degree from Ball State offers many benefits to you:

Course Requirements

Two tracks for this degree are offered:

Ready to Apply?

First, apply to the Graduate School. You may apply for admission online via the Ball State Graduate School.

Second, apply to the interior design program. Send all of the following materials to the Graduate Advisor in Interior Design, Dr. Shireen Kanakri, 222 Applied Technology Building, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306 USA:

• Application—Print and complete an application to the program.
• Letter of Intent—This letter should discuss the topics listed on the application under "Statement of Purpose." Please provide us with nine credits of potential electives that support your objectives. Ball State offers a number of online graduate courses although these electives may be taken at any accredited institution (regional accreditation).
• Resume—Provide a complete, up-to-date resume.
• Portfolio—Your portfolio can include works from undergraduate studies and professional projects. Portfolio size may not exceed 8½ x 11 inches. Portfolios may also be submitted digitally as CDs or DVDs. You are not required to submit a portfolio if your undergraduate degree is not in the design field and you are applying for the 80 credits option.
• Recommendations—Two letters of recommendation, which can be from employers or professors from your undergraduate degree program.

If you have any questions about this process, contact Dr. Shireen Kanakri.

Application Deadlines

Priority deadlines are:

• Fall semester: July 1
• Spring semester: December 1
• Summer semester: April 1

Application

Admission to Ball State is selective, and we carefully evaluate all application on an individual basis. Applying for admission is easy. Use our convenient, comprehensive, and secure online application.

GET STARTED

Students from Other States

Ball State is authorized to accept online students from all U.S. states. However, certain states have regulations regarding licensing programs in nursing and education. Learn more about state authorizations for non-Indiana students.

International Applicants

If the degree is offered only in an online format, U.S. policies will not allow you to come to the U.S. and take only online courses. However, you may be able to study online from your home country. 

International Students Studying Online Only

If you’re an international student, in addition to meeting the requirements above, you will first need to meet the admission requirements for international graduate students. For information about the international admission process, contact the Rinker Center for International Programs.

If you are receiving sponsorship from your government for your studies, please confirm with your sponsor that you are permitted to enroll in online education courses. It is your responsibility to determine if you can enroll in online courses per your sponsor (if applicable), and the laws and policies of your nation and the United States.

International Students Studying on Campus 

You can only study on campus if the degree has either an on-campus or blended option. Online only degrees cannot be taken on campus. If you’re an international student and wish to study on our main campus in Muncie, Indiana, you will first need to meet the admission requirements for international graduate students. For information about the international admission process, contact the Rinker Center for International Programs. 

Admission deadlines for international students are earlier. 

Please review the admission deadlines from the Rinker Center so that there is plenty of time to review your application before enrollment deadlines.