Ranked 6th in the nation by DesignIntelligence magazine, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s interior design graduate program is one of the best programs for preparing students for real-world success. The program was ranked by design professionals at more than 200 U.S. firms who make hiring decisions and performance evaluations of recent architecture and design graduates.
The Specialization in Interior Design within the Master of Science in Architecture:
Continues a proud tradition of design excellence and leadership in education and research
Prepares individuals for leadership roles in developing theory and applying it to twenty-first century interior environments
Provides research and theory-based problem-solving skills for the increased complexity of interior built environments
Combines previous education, practical experience and scholarly inquiry into creating new knowledge to advance the discipline
The program is:
Taught by award-winning faculty with real-world experience
Offered completely online
Methods of Delivery:
Most of the classes offered via distance delivery utilize online technology. Students are able to complete coursework at times convenient for them, in addition to having multi-way interaction with the instructor and other students in class. Even though the classes do not “meet” at a scheduled time and place, the student is expected to progress with class assignments and interact as if they were attending a course on campus.
Students must have computer and high speed Internet access. Students should include a current e-mail address when registering.
For more information: Visit the College of Architecture site.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
Graduates of an Interior Design Program accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (formerly FIDER)
Design professionals who are interested in furthering their career or opening new careers
Professionals interested in educating the next generation of Interior Design professionals
Resident Tuition Cost:
Resident Distance Ed. Tuition
Distance Ed. Fee
Registration Fee Per Semester
Tech Fee
Library Fee
Total Cost for 3 Credit Hours
Graduate per credit hour
$273.00
$25.00
$20.00
$7.35
$3.00
Graduate 3 credit hours
$819.00
$75.00
$20.00
$22.05
$9.00
$1017.05 w/ Architecture Fee
Non-Resident Tuition Cost:
Non-Resident Distance Ed. Tuition
Distance Ed. Fee
Registration Fee Per Semester
Tech Fee
Library Fee
Total Cost for 3 Credit Hours
Graduate per credit hour
$521.00
$25.00
$20.00
$7.35
$3.00
Graduate 3 credit hours
$1563.00
$75.00
$20.00
$22.05
$9.00
$1689.05 **$1761.05 w ARC Fee
Tuition rates are effective as of 7/1/09 and are subject to change in July of each year.
Program of Study
The Specialization in Interior Design within the Master of Science Degree in Architecture is a scholarly research-based curriculum. This 36-credit hour program of study is designed for those students who are interested in approaching the design of the built environment as user-centered providing a basis for informed design decisions. It is understood that of prime importance in the design of the built environment is the satisfaction of the user’s physical, psycho social, and spiritual needs and the protection of their health, safety and well-being.
To fulfill the requirements of the Specialization in Interior Design, candidates must:
maintain a 3.0 GPA
pass the required cumulative examinations
pass an oral examination covering their area of preparation and thesis research,
complete the requirements for the thesis.
Core Requirements – 9 credits to include the following:
IDES 897 Evolving Issues in Interior Design 3
IDES 856 Behavioral and Social Factors in Environmental Design Behavior 3
IDES 898 Design Problems in the Interior Built Environment 3-6 (studio based instruction)
Discipline / Theory – 6 credits to be selected in consultation with advisor.The following represents possible course selections:
IDES 858 The Changing Workplace 3
IDES 860 Preservation and Meaning of Historic Interiors 3
IDES 882 Color in the Built Environment 3
IDES 884 Material Culture: the Social Life of Things 3
IDES 8XX Domesticity and Power in the Colonial World 3
ARCH/IDES 8XX Theories of Design Instruction 3
ARCH/IDES 8XX Environments for Special Needs 3
ARCH 841 Architecture History & Theory II 3
ARCH 842 Contemporary Architecture 3
ARCH 857 Housing Issues in Contemporary Society 2
ARCH 846 Architecture, Society, and Culture II 3
ARCH 863 Architectural Preservation 3
ARCH 897 Digital Environments 3
Research Methods/Analytical Techniques – 6 credits to be selected in consultation with advisor.
ARCH/IDES 897 Design Evaluation and Research 3
ARCH/IDES 8XX Design Methods & Processes 3
Research Methods 3 (to be selected from existing courses outside the department)
Quantitative Research Methods
Qualitative Research Methods
Historical Research Methods
Campus-wide Electives – 3-6 credits
In consultation with their interior design advisor, campus-wide electives can be chosen from graduate courses within the disciplines of psychology, sociology, anthropology, business and history.
Independent Field Research or Graduate Internship – 3-6 credits
Thesis – 6 credits
The thesis will be used to gain new insights and to develop theory or to contribute
to the body of knowledge that can in turn advance the discipline and practice of interior design.
Total Credits 36*
*The residential program should take approximately four semesters to complete.
Tech Requirements
High speed Internet connection is required. Check the Graduate Distance Catalog to learn the specific requirements for your program.
Some distance courses have supplemental materials on videos or CDs and others may require phone conferencing. You will interact with the professor and other students through e-mail, phone conferencing, and Blackboard.
Blackboard™ Requirements and Browser Configurations:
To effectively use Blackboard the Javascript and cookies on your computer must be enabled. Some content for features may require additional software. Pop-up blockers should be disabled for Blackboard (My.UNL). The browsers below are officially supported.
Internet Explorer: 7.0 or higher
Firefox: 2.0 or higher
Safari: 2.0 or higher
Older versions of the above or alternative browsers (such as Mozilla and Opera) may be compatible, but some features might not be available. To download the latest browsers, click the “help” button in Blackboard (My.UNL) and access the Downloads area.
Operating Systems:
Microsoft® Windows® 2000 and up, or Mac OS X, 10.2 and up are strongly recommended. Older operating systems (Microsoft® Windows® 98SE/ME, MacOS 8/9) or alternative platforms (Linux) are compatible, but may not have full functionality. Blackboard (My.UNL) is not currently compatible with handheld devices or Web-enabled phones.
Windows
Macintosh
Minimum System Requirements
Minimum System Requirements
Operating System:
Windows XP SP 2
(Home or Professional)
Operating System:
OS X (10.2)
Processor:
1 GHz
Processor:
G3 800 MHz
RAM:
256 MB
RAM:
256 MB
Recommended System Requirements
Recommended System Requirements
Operating
System:
Windows XP SP 2
(Home or Pro)
or Windows Vista
Operating
System:
OS X (10.4) or OS X (10.5)
Processor:
2 GHz or higher
Processor:
G4 1.25 GHz or higher
RAM:
768 MB or more
RAM:
768 MB or more
Note: Using Blackboard with AOL: While you can use AOL as your service provider, you cannot use the AOL Web browser to access Blackboard (My.UNL). If you try to use the AOL browser, you will find that it will automatically log you out every few minutes and you will experience problems with some of Blackboard’s services including assessments (tests and quizzes).
If you are an AOL user, once you’ve connected to the Internet, use a different Web browser to access the Internet.
Admission Requirements
An undergraduate degree in interior design or a related architecture field.
Maintained at least a B average in past academic programs.
Statement of intention essay: preferred area(s) of study, professional goals, why you want a master’s degree, research interests, academic goals, and faculty member with whom you would like to work
Portfolio of recent work in digital or hard copy format
If English is not your native language, a minimum TOEFL score: Paper-550 Internet-79
Send to: Members of the Graduate Committee
Master of Science in Architecture
Interior Design Specialization Attn: Thuy Pham, Admissions Coordinator
232 Architecture Hall
Lincoln, NE 68588-0107
Application Deadline
Rolling admissions. Applications are reviewed upon receipt of materials.
Review Process
Graduate Studies performs a preliminary review after receiving your online application, $45 application fee and transcripts. Your file is then forwarded to the Department Graduate Committee for review.
Department Graduate Committee conducts a departmental review only after all materials are received. The Department Graduate Committee notifies Graduate Studies of their admission recommendation.
Graduate Studies conducts a final review. If you are admitted, Graduate Studies will notify you by e-mail and mail.
For information regarding courses offered and department admission contact:
