THE POWER OF FOCUS
After 40 years of devotion to interior design education, Design Institute of San Diego was proud to announce the launch of an advanced scholarship in interior design with a Master of Interior Design (MID) program with an inaugural class of DI alumni in Fall 2020.
Whether you want to elevate your interior design skills, talents and career options in this ever-changing profession, change careers so you can realize your dream of practicing interior design, or transition to the world of interior design education, our MID program provides the framework for you to meet your goals.
MASTER OF INTERIOR DESIGN PROGRAM
The MID program at Design Institute offers advanced scholarship in interior design by engaging students in human-centered design research and innovative processes preparing environmentally and socially responsible scholars, educators, and design practitioners.
MID students will enjoy all the benefits of a Design Institute education including the small program size, personal relationships with experienced faculty that are connected to the profession and the collaborative nature of our program, as well as DI’s total focus on the field of interior design.
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Students with baccalaureate degrees in design-related fields, such as interior architecture, interior design, or architecture, may enter the two-year MID track: 45-unit curriculum
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Students with baccalaureate degrees in any other discipline may enter the three-year MID track: 45-unit curriculum plus 36 units in qualifying preparatory studies
The educational philosophy of the MID program is closely aligned with the existing DI undergraduate philosophy, grounded in fundamental Bauhausian principles associated with the reflexive relationship of design thinking and making, which is a hands-on approach to teaching and learning. A key component of this relationship is the idea that thinking about and doing design (including interior design) fosters an on-going, dynamic synthesis between abstract ideas and materiality.
In addition to this core philosophy, our educational methodology incorporates, and seamlessly blends, evidence-based design (EBD) practices with artistic expression, a process in which research and theoretical discourse inform design solutions for the built environment. Students engage in individualized project-based studies aimed at solving real problems which provide a bridge between critical inquiry and professional practice.
LENGTH OF MID PROGRAM
Typical completion time of the two-year MID for students with design-related undergraduate degrees (45-unit curriculum) enrolled full-time in at least 9 units each semester, including summer semester, is 5 semesters or 17 months.
Typical completion time of the three-year MID for students with undergraduate degrees in non-related fields (45-unit curriculum + 36 units in qualifying graduate studies) enrolled full-time in 9 - 12 units each semester, including summer semester, is 8 semesters or 28 months.
The MID program courses will be offered on a 15-week, semester-based schedule that runs year-round. Courses will be offered in traditional formats for graduate education and will be held in the afternoon and evening with occasional weekend classes.
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Full-time status:
A full-time graduate student is a student who is enrolled in at least nine (9) units each semester. Any variation from nine (9) or more credit units per semester must be on the student’s plan of study or approved by the Director of Academics each term. -
Part-time status:
A graduate student who is enrolled in six to eight (6 to 8) credit units per semester is considered part-time. Enrolling in less than six (6) credits per semester will not be permitted without a special approval form signed by the Director of Academics.
GRADUATE CULTURE
With our Master of Interior Design (MID) program, Design Institute strives to create the same warm, personal and holistic culture which we believe is vital to student success. DI recognizes that graduate education goes far beyond the curriculum and is devoted to fostering a collegial community that supports innovative research and creative thinking among its students and faculty. DI faculty mentors offer guidance and inspiration essential to students’ creative, scholarly and professional development. We encourage students to become part of the intellectual interior design community by providing grants, space and other resources to support scholarly, creative and research activities, and opportunities to share student research with the extended academic and professional design community.
To get more information on the MID program at Design Institute, click here. You may also email our admissions team at midadmissions@disd.edu or call us at 858-566-1200.