California Polytechnic State University, Pomona

Programme overview

The Master of Interior Architecture (M.Int.Arch.) is an online, professional degree accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. The program frames interior design as a social art that can promote equity and inclusion, support sustainability, and enhance aesthetic and experiential qualities of the built environment. Instruction is delivered by practicing design professionals and is informed by Southern California’s contemporary design context. The program requires 42 semester units and can be completed full-time in four semesters.

What you'll study

Students follow a required sequence of coursework that culminates in the Master’s Project Interior Architecture Documents course. In that culminating studio students develop a thesis design into construction documents and specifications, produce the range of drawings needed for cost estimates, and study integration of architectural and interior design with mechanical and electrical systems. The curriculum trains students in history and methods of design, critical thinking, imaginative problem solving, experiential design, sustainability strategies, professional practice, digital technologies, collaboration, and communication.

Entry requirements

• Pre-application consultation with the Graduate Coordinator is required; applicants must contact the coordinator for an initial review of transcripts, background, and portfolio to determine eligibility.
• A four-year accredited bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA in any field.
• Foundation-level interior design preparation equivalent to approximately two years (50–60 semester units) delivered via a Bachelor of Interior Design, community college coursework, or an interior design certificate. Holders of an accredited Bachelor of Interior Design or Bachelor of Architecture meet this prerequisite.
• Upload unofficial transcripts with the application; official final transcripts from all institutions are required prior to enrollment (Cal Poly Pomona alumni are exempt from sending official transcripts).
• Three recommendations from individuals able to assess potential for the profession or graduate study.
• Portfolio demonstrating interior design skills and analytical abilities in written and graphic form.
• Personal statement (up to 750 words) outlining interests, motivations and goals for pursuing the degree.
• Applicants with a baccalaureate from outside the U.S. must provide English proficiency via TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.5, or Duolingo 105 (scores no older than two years), unless they qualify for an English language waiver (degree from or three years’ full‑time study at an institution where English is the principal language of instruction, or citizenship/country where English is the national language).

Career prospects

The program’s stated objective is to prepare graduates to enter the field of interior design and to meet professional practice standards. Coursework and the culminating construction‑document studio aim to make students effective entry‑level members of project teams and capable of assuming leadership roles in practice. Emphases include sustainable technologies, professional practice methods, and communication skills that support work in design firms or related organizations.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Specific scholarships or tuition details are provided through the College of Professional and Global Education; prospective students should consult that office and the Department of Architecture for information on available funding, employer sponsorship, or other financial support options.