Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture | Norman
The University of Oklahoma’s Division of Interior Design offers graduate programs that prepare students to lead and innovate in the field. Our faculty foster a student-centered environment focused on design excellence, research, and community engagement. Our Master of Science in Interior Design program has been recognized for its academic rigor and is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. Options include the First Professional degree for newcomers to the field and the Post Professional degree for practicing designers seeking advanced expertise and research opportunities.
Design with Purpose. Create for People. Unite Through Learning
Interior design is the art and science of shaping spaces to improve how people live, work, and interact. It goes beyond choosing colors and furniture. Designers plan and manage projects that meet building codes, safety regulations, and accessibility standards. They blend creativity with technical skill, considering lighting, materials, acoustics, and human behavior to support well-being. Using research-based methods, designers address physical and emotional needs. Every choice influences how people feel in a space. Through education, experience, and certification, designers are trained to create safe, inclusive environments.
At the University of Oklahoma’s Gibbs College of Architecture, this philosophy drives a student-centered, accredited interior design program. Ranked among DesignIntelligence’s “Most Hired From,” the curriculum combines studio work with theory to prepare students for real-world challenges. Students collaborate across disciplines and use resources like a materials library and lighting lab. Small class sizes allow for personalized mentorship, and alumni contribute through lectures and critiques. Graduates are equipped to shape environments that enhance lives from the inside out.
Source: Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ). "About CIDQ."
Norman, Oklahoma
Graduates of OU’s Master of Interior Design program consistently earn top honors in prestigious national competitions, including Metropolis Future 100, Solar Decathlon, BuildingsNEXT, IIDA, IES, and IDEC. These accolades showcase the exceptional creativity, technical skill, and rigorous preparation our students receive.
OU’s graduate interior design students launch careers at top firms like Gensler, Perkins&Will, HKS, Corgan, and Page. Many also pursue research and innovation in health and wellness design, lead entrepreneurial ventures, and shape the future of sustainable, universal, and healthcare design through specialized consultancy roles.
How Long You'll Be Here
On average, 2-3 years
Faculty-to-Student Ratio
15 students per faculty member
Median Salary
$75,850
Salary information obtained from: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics,
Interior Designers
The Master of Science in Interior Design - First Professional degree program provides graduate education for students who do not have a previous professional degree in Interior Design or Architecture. Students from diverse undergraduate backgrounds are welcome to apply, as the program is designed to provide comprehensive professional preparation regardless of prior design experience. This program combines creative design thinking with technical knowledge, covering everything from space planning and color theory to building codes and sustainable design practices. Students learn to create functional, safe, and aesthetically pleasing interior environments while developing the problem-solving skills needed to address complex design challenges. The curriculum integrates studio-based learning with theoretical coursework and graduate-level research, giving students hands-on experience with real-world design projects.
The curriculum covers the major market sectors of interior design, giving students comprehensive exposure to diverse career paths. Students explore single and multi-family residential design, learning to create personalized living spaces that reflect clients' lifestyles and needs. The program covers retail design, teaching students how to create compelling shopping environments that enhance the customer experience and support business goals. Students study hospitality design for restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues, focusing on creating memorable experiences while meeting operational requirements. The curriculum includes education design, preparing students to design learning environments from elementary schools to universities. Corporate workplace design is emphasized, covering modern office environments that support productivity and employee wellbeing. Healthcare design rounds out the major sectors, teaching students to create healing environments that support patient care and staff efficiency.
The Master of Science in Interior Design - First Professional program requires 63 credit hours for completion. Studio courses form the core of our curriculum, emphasizing hands-on, project-based learning that mirrors real-world design practice. Each studio course focuses on a different market sector of design, including single and multi-family residential, retail, hospitality (restaurants, cafes, hotels), education, healthcare, and corporate workplace design. This comprehensive approach ensures students gain experience across all major areas of interior design practice. In addition to studio courses, students take specialty courses such as lighting design and indoor environmental quality, that deepen their technical expertise and creative skills, along with graduate-level research and theory courses like environment and human behavior, and architectural theory and criticism that provide the theoretical foundation expected of graduate education.
In addition to the admission requirements of the Graduate College, the following materials must be submitted directly to OU through the online application website.
No application for the graduate program in Interior Design will be considered until all supporting documents have been received. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials are received by the graduate liaison prior to the application deadline.
Fall Semester: Rolling deadline
The Master of Science in Interior Design - Post-Professional degree program provides advanced graduate study for students who want to further their interior design education or expand their architecture education. This program is designed for students who already hold an undergraduate degree in Interior Design or Architecture and seek to deepen their expertise through research-based graduate study. The program emphasizes research-based learning while incorporating project-based components to advance students' expertise. Students engage in thesis research or research informed design projects that contribute new knowledge to the field, often collaborating with faculty on funded research initiatives and presenting their findings at professional conferences. The program encourages original research that addresses real-world challenges in interior design practice, from improving healthcare environments through evidence-based design to developing sustainable solutions for commercial spaces. Students explore interdisciplinary approaches that connect interior design with fields such as public health, behavioral science, environmental science, and technology innovation.
The Post-Professional program allows students to specialize in advanced areas of interior design research and practice while preparing them to work as professional interior designers in specialized market sectors. Students can focus on evidence-based design research and then work in healthcare design firms where this expertise is increasingly valued. Those studying sustainable design practices are well-positioned for firms specializing in green design across commercial and residential sectors. Students focusing on human factors and environmental psychology can pursue careers in workplace design firms that prioritize employee wellbeing and productivity. Those interested in historic preservation and adaptive reuse can work with firms specializing in hospitality design for historic hotels or residential firms focused on historic home renovations. Students studying design for special populations can work in firms specializing in healthcare design, senior living, or accessible design across all market sectors. Those focusing on emerging technologies in interior environments are prepared for cutting-edge commercial firms working in retail, hospitality, or corporate workplace design. The program also supports students interested in design leadership roles, consulting positions, research careers, or academic paths. Advanced study areas include design theory and criticism, post-occupancy evaluation, workplace design research, healthcare design innovation, and cultural and social aspects of interior environments.
The Master of Science in Interior Design - Post-Professional program requires 30-33 credit hours for completion, with the specific credit requirement depending on the student's background and undergraduate program type. The curriculum is structured around three core components: advanced theoretical course work emphasizing design theory and human behavior, advanced coursework in areas of professional expertise and a culminating research experience consisting of either a 6-credit thesis or research-based capstone project that comprises the final portion of the 30-33 credit hour program. . While project-based learning remains a component, the emphasis shifts toward research methodologies, design theory, evidence-based design, and scholarly investigation of interior design practice. Advanced coursework covers emerging topics in interior design including sustainability research and environmental impact assessment, human behavior studies and environmental psychology, health and wellness design focusing on biophilia and therapeutic environments, advanced lighting design, emerging technologies including smart building systems and virtual reality applications, historic preservation and adaptive reuse strategies, design for aging populations and accessibility, cultural competency in design practice, and advanced material science and innovative building technologies.
In addition to the admission requirements of the Graduate College, the following materials must be submitted directly to the Graduate Liaison of the Division of Interior Design for evaluation.
A student enrolled in the final semester of undergraduate studies may apply for admission to the graduate program in interior design for the next regular semester following completion of his/her undergraduate degree. Admission to the program will be contingent upon satisfactory completion of undergraduate studies, subject to final review by the Division Director.
No application for the graduate program in Interior Design will be considered until all supporting documents have been received. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials are received by the graduate liaison prior to the application deadline. Late applicants will be considered on a space-available basis only.
I came to the University of Oklahoma from Brazil to grow in the design world. At OU, I gained knowledge, amazing mentors, and opportunities to create connections. The Master of Interior Design program led to a very fun experience as a teaching assistant and, later, an exciting career in aviation design. So thankful for this journey!
Malu Klem
Class of 2024
