Chair: R. Rengel
Graduate Coordinator: S. Bosch

Doctor of Philosophy:

The College offers an interdisciplinary program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree in design, construction, and planning. Areas of specialization within this program include architecture, building construction, interior design, landscape architecture, and urban and regional planning. For information, write to

The Ph.D. Director
College of Design, Construction, and Planning Doctoral Program
331 ARCH, P.O. Box 115701.

Master of Interior Design:
The Master of Interior Design (M.I.D.) provides opportunities for students to direct their attention toward a variety of topics, including

• Design pedagogy and processes
• Sustainable, healthy, safe, and secure environments
• Creative performance and innovation
• Built heritage conservation

Regardless of the study emphasis selected by the student, the M.I.D. program has a central focus with three categories of course work:

• Design studio
• Seminars in current interior design topics
• Theories and methods of research.

All M.I.D. students must complete an approved research topic with a written thesis. Requirements for the M.I.D. and Ph.D. degrees are given in the General Information section of this catalog.

Applications:

All applications must include transcripts for all previous academic work, and if the applicant’s native language is not English, a satisfactory score on one of the following: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language: computer=213, paper=550, web=80), IELTS (International English Language Testing System: 6), MELAB (Michigan  English Language Assessment Battery: 77), or successful completion of the UF English Language Institute. This information must be received in the Office of the Registrar by February 2. In addition to satisfying University requirements for admission, the applicants are required to submit to the Department of Interior Design the following:

• A portfolio of your design work (if you received a design-based degree). The portfolio should be emailed to the department as a pdf to mmatckie@dcp.ufl.edu or sent via WeTransfer as a pdf to mmatckie@dcp.ufl.edu.
• A written essay on your goals and aspirations related to graduate studies; attach to your application or email to mmatckie@dcp.ufl.edu.
• Three letters of recommendation; directly sent to the applications system via the on-line request you set up or emailed to the department to mmatckie@dcp.ufl.edu.
• A personal interview is not required, but many applicants choose to visit the campus and Department as a part of the application process.

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Interior Design program at the University of Florida may apply to the M.I.D. program during their junior year by applying for a Combination Degree (see below).  The college currently offers a combination degree between a Bachelor of Design and the Master of Interior Design.  

The Department reserves the right to retain student course work for the purposes of record, exhibition, or instruction. Field trips are required for all students; students should plan to have adequate funds available. Students are required to purchase a computer for course work. It may be necessary to assess studio fees to defray costs of base maps, plans, and other generally used materials.

Admission: Applications are processed through February 2 for fall term and all applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Admission decisions are made between February and the end of April. All new students begin their studies in the fall to coincide with curriculum sequencing.

Graduate course requirements according to background: After assessment of previous design work, leveling courses may be required to prepare the student for the M.I.D. 36 hours of graduate course work. Therefore, each student entering the Master of Interior Design program works with the graduate coordinator to evaluate the student’s unique background to determine the specific courses needed to facilitate interest and experience. Estimated credit hours and length of study time vary according to each student’s individual baccalaureate degree and experience.

There are four options.

• For students enrolled in the Bachelor of Design program at the University of Florida, 12 hours of graduate-level course work in the senior year can be counted for both the undergraduate and the M.I.D. degrees. An additional 24 graduate credit hours are required. Expect at least 1 additional year to complete the M.I.D. (Combination Degree form found on the Graduate School site)
   
• For students who graduated from a Council of Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) accredited first professional degree program within an architectural framework, the course of study is estimated to be 36 graduate credit hours. Expect 2 years to complete the M.I.D.
   
• For students who graduated from a design-related (architecture or interior design) baccalaureate degree program, the course of study is estimated to be a maximum of 59 graduate credit hours (includes the 36-hour M.I.D.). Expect 3 years to complete leveling courses and the master’s degree.
   
• For students with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than design, the course of study is estimated to be 93 undergraduate and graduate credit hours. Expect 3 to 4 years to complete leveling courses and the M.I.D.

Estimates of the number of credit hours and length of study time may be adjusted based on the individual student’s previous preparation including experience as a practicing designer, architect, or other professional.

Program requirements: After leveling courses are completed and with approval by the graduate coordinator and supervisory committee chair, a student completes 24 hours of departmentally approved graduate work in the Department of Interior Design. In addition, with the graduate coordinator’s approval, the student is required to take 3 hours of course work in graduate statistics and 9 hours of multidisciplinary graduate electives that reinforce and extend the research.

Courses from such academic units as Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Engineering, Education, and Business Administration provide possible electives. The College of Design, Construction and Planning offers the Certificate in Historic Preservation. If the focus of a student is the renovation and preservation of built environments, then historic preservation courses leading to a certificate would strengthen the research and design effort. Likewise, existing appropriate courses in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, and Building Construction offer both collaborative study and research opportunities for M.I.D students.

Each student must select a two-member supervisory committee to guide course selection and to guide thesis selection, study, and production.