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thinking of architectural study to focus
on the scale, use, and materiality of the
interior, connecting interior design to
larger issues of inhabitation, cities, and
society. The program instills values in its
students, not as mere competencies but
as opportunities for critical engagement
in the contemporary world. In support
of this transformative responsibility, the
program fosters an inquisitive dialogue
among its faculty and students, and open
exchange with the world of designers,
producers, and users of the built
environment. We are equally committed
to the application of current technology
to the educational experience and the
support of analysis and research that
contributes to the body of the knowledge
in the discipline.
The Program’s Structure
Like its undergraduate counterpart,
the graduate Interior Design program
at Pratt is an architecturally oriented
program with emphasis on spatial design
rather than surface embellishment. All
aspects of space—scale, proportion,
configuration, and light sources, as well
as textures, materials, and colors—are
studied in relation to their effect on the
human spirit. Students are encouraged
to take advantage of the many course
offerings at Pratt, enabling them
to fully develop their interests and
talents. Electives may be chosen from
any department in the Institute, so an
enormous menu of courses is available for
the pursuit of individual interests.
The program is full time. Many
students find internships, either for credit
or independently, generally pursued
during the summer breaks. It is not
recommended that any student work for
the first semester of the program.
For most students, the program
culminates in a thesis project. The thesis
provides the greatest possible freedom
and opportunity for pursuit of a selected
topic. Work is done under the direction
of thesis advisors and is completed
within one year. The Exhibition
Design Intensive is an alternative to the
traditional thesis track and offers students
a one-year immersion in exhibit design in
the final year.
Applicants with an undergraduate
degree in interior design, architecture,
or other closely related design fields
may be eligible for the 48-credit two-
year graduate program. An application
portfolio is required. A two-semester
Qualifying Program of an additional 20
credits is required for applicants whose
undergraduate backgrounds are unrelated
to interior design or architecture but
whose applications indicate a strong
aptitude for graduate study. These
students complete 68 credits in three
years. It should be noted that while
applicants to the Qualifying Program
are not required to submit a portfolio, we
do encourage applicants with academic
or professional experience to submit a
portfolio of work from other disciplines
such as fine arts, fashion, industrial
design, or communications design.
To support our commitment to
technological excellence, personal
laptop computers are required for all
graduate students. For more information,
please refer to http://www.pratt.edu/
academics/academic_resources/
technology_resources/laptop/interior/.
master of science in
interior design
The mission of the Master of Science in
Interior Design program is to educate
talented and motivated students from
diverse cultural, professional, and
educational backgrounds in the discipline
and profession of interior design. Our
educational community encourages
philosophical exploration, ethical and
environmental responsibility, aesthetic
expression, and practical application.
We provide students with a challenging
environment and course of study that
encourages creative innovation.
Right: Top Column: Nora Mattingly; Center Column,
Bottom Column: Rachel Rosenberg