The Master of Interior Architecture is a professional degree (M. INT. ARCH.) offered collaboratively between UCLA Extension and Cal Poly Pomona. We are the 3rd ranked CIDA-accredited program in the nation.* The primary goal of the Master’s Program is to provide an opportunity for individuals with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to pursue a rigorous program of part time study that prepares them to enter the field of interior design incorporating the highest standards of professional practice. The program particularly serves career-change students seeking to fulfill a lifelong dream of becoming interior design professionals. All classes are taught at UCLA Extension facilities in Westwood, Los Angeles.
(*DesignIntelligence)
Program Requirements & Curriculum
We welcome students from varied academic backgrounds, including non-interior design disciplines. Individuals with no previous study in interior design or architecture must first complete prerequisites in or equivalent to UCLA Extension’s Certificate of Interior Design.
Admissions into to the Master of Interior Architecture degree program requires a 4-year bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA and completion of the 82 prerequisite units found in the Certificate Program (or equivalent) with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
Applying to the Master’s Program
Unlike the open enrollment format of the Certificate Program, prospective Master’s students must complete an application and submit additional documents in order to be evaluated for admission into the program. For detailed information about applying to the Masters Program, please see the Master of Interior Architecture Application Requirements.
Applicants who have taken interior design or architecture courses outside of UCLA Extension must have a transcript evaluation with Student Affairs Advisor, Suzanne Sheppard before applying. Click here to schedule an appointment online or call (310) 794-3747.
Program Curriculum and Duration
The Master of Interior Architecture degree program requires the completion of 63 quarter units (42 semester units). Full-time students can complete the program in 4 quarters/1 year. Part-time students taking 4-8 units per quarter can complete the program in 6-8 quarters/1.5-2 years. Upon admission into the program, students are required to register for some classes through Cal Poly Pomona’s BroncoDirect system. Please note that Cal Poly Pomona operates on a semester-system and unit conversions are listed simply for graduation paperwork requirements. All courses follow the UCLA Extension academic quarter schedule.
| 1ST QUARTER | |||
| Interior Architecture Studio A | ARCH X 430C/INA 5110 | 6 Q.units | 4 S. units |
| Concept Driven Design: Visual Seminar and Studio† | ARCH X 471.125/INA 5120 | 4 Q. units | 3 S. units |
| Understanding Building Codes† | ARCH X 427.20/INA 5130 | 3 Q. units | 2 S. units |
| Electives | varies | varies | |
| 2ND QUARTER | |||
| Interior Architecture Studio B | ARCH X 471.19/INA 5210 | 6 Q. units | 4 S. units |
| Research and Programming Methodologies† | ARCH X 497/INA 5220 | 4 Q. units | 3 S. units |
| Interior Detailing and Building Systems† | ARCH X 467.27B/INA 5230 | 6 Q. units | 4 S. units |
| Electives | varies | varies | |
| 3RD QUARTER | |||
| Master’s Project: Interior Architecture Studio† | ARCH X 498.1/INA 6940 | 8 Q. units | 5 S. units |
| Business Strategies for Interior Architects | ARCH X 497.5/INA 6120 | 4 Q. units | 3 S. units |
| The Ecology of Design* | ARCH X 467.55/INA 6130 | 2 Q. units | 1 S. units |
| Electives | varies | varies | |
| 4TH QUARTER | |||
| Master’s Project: Interior Architecture Documents† | ARCH X 498/INA 6950 | 8 Q. units | 5 S. units |
| Project Management for Interior Architects* | ARCH X 498.2/INA 6140 | 4 Q. units | 3 S. units |
| Electives | varies | varies | |
Notes:
* Offered in Spring & Fall only
† Classes restricted to only MIA students. Registration through Cal Poly Pomona’s Bronco Direct System
Electives
Eight quarter units, of choice, are required in the Master’s curriculum. A maximum of 2 units for one Internship can be used toward this requirement. The courses listed below are all the electives offered in our program, however, some may not be offered every quarter. Check course listing information for availability.
| Professional Development | |||
| Photographing Architecture & Interiors | ARCH X 467.11A/INA 560 | 4 Q. units | Available online |
| SketchUp | ARCH X 468.6A | 2 Q. units | Available online |
| Advanced SketchUp | ARCH X 468.6B | 2 Q. units | Available online |
| Interior Design Law I | ARCH X 497.10 | 2 Q. units | Available online |
| Interior Design Law II | ARCH X 497.11 | 2 Q. units | Available online |
| Advanced Portfolio Design & Graphic Storytelling | ARCH X 498.10 | 4 Q. units | |
| Interior Rendering Techniques Using 3ds Max & V-Ray | ARCH X 498.12 | 4 Q. units | Available online |
| Interior Design in Films | ARCH X 498.22 | 2 Q. units | |
| Decorating & Design | |||
| Residential Remodeling | ARCH X 406.6/INA 538 | 3.25 Q. units | |
| Accessories for Residential Interiors | ARCH X 443.40 | 2 Q. units | |
| Feng Shui for Designers & Architects | ARCH X 443.45 | 2 Q. units | |
| Furniture Design | ARCH X 461.4/INA 539 | 4 Q. units | |
| Contemporary Applications of Historical Design: Part I | ARCH X 443.17 | 2 Q. units | |
| Contemporary Applications of Historical Design: Part II | ARCH X 443.18 | 2 Q. units | |
| Internship & Independent Study | |||
| Professional Interior Architecture Internship | ARCH X 473/INA 615 | 2 Q. units | |
| Independent Study † | INA 591 | 1-4 Q. units | |
† Registration through Cal Poly Pomona’s Bronco Direct System.
Program Cost
Application Fee: $70
Estimated Program Tuition: $31,500*
Estimated Program Textbook/Materials: $4,000
Estimated Total Cost: $35,500
*Price per unit: $500. Elective costs vary.
Facts & Figures
The following data was collected using institutional records and a survey that was administered within 6 weeks of graduation. Information was gathered from 70% of graduates.
Retention and Attrition Rate
Students can begin the program in the Fall, Winter, or Spring. The following retention and attrition rates are for the calendar year.
Retention rate for Master of Interior Architecture students who began in 2016: 85.3%
Attrition rate for Master of Interior Architecture students who began in 2016: 14.7%
Retention rate for Master of Interior Architecture students who began in 2017: 84.6%
Attrition rate for Master of Interior Architecture students who began in 2017: 15.4%
Retention rate for Master of Interior Architecture students who began in 2018: 92.1%
Attrition rate for Master of Interior Architecture students who began in 2018: 7.9%
Retention rate for Master of Interior Architecture students who began in 2019: 87.5%
Attrition rate for Master of Interior Architecture students who began in 2019: 12.5%
Graduation Rate
Since students can elect to take the MIA Program on a full- or part-time basis, the length of the program will vary from student to student.
Graduation rate for students who began in 2015: 76.8% (2 year graduation rate)
Graduation rate for students who began in 2015: 89.3% (3 year graduation rate)
Graduation rate for students who began in 2016: 71.8% (2 year graduation rate)
Graduation rate for students who began in 2016: 82.1% (3 year graduation rate)
Graduation rate for students who began in 2017: 81.6% (2 year graduation rate)
Graduation rate for students who began in 2017: 92.1% (3 year graduation rate)
Graduation rate for students who began in 2018: 75.0% (2 year graduation rate)
Graduation rate for students who began in 2018: 87.5% (3 year graduation rate)
Job Placement Rate
Job placement rate for MIA students (students employed within 180 days of completion): 84.8%
- discipline related jobs: 92.9%
- non-discipline related jobs: 7.1%
Acceptance into Graduate Program
The following are acceptance rates for the Master of Interior Architecture degree program. Students who apply to this graduate program must have a bachelor’s degree in any field.
2019: 90.0%
2018: 90.2%
2017: 87.7%
2016: 90.2%
2015: 82.4%
2014: 87.0%
