Master of Arts in Design
with Concentration in Interior Design for Sustainability
(MA for Sustainability)
FAQs for Non-UNT Students
Updated by April 20, 2015
The following are frequently asked questions about the MA in Design with Concentration in Interior
Design for Sustainability (MA for Sustainability) in the College of Visual Arts & Design (CVAD) at the
University of North Texas (UNT). The Department of Design offers the MA for Sustainability for
professional designers and recent interior design graduates who are interested in enhancing their
knowledge in sustainable design.
How do I apply to the MA for Sustainability program?
At this time, the admission process for the MA for Sustainability program will be handled by the
Department of Design at CVAD. Please contact the graduate program coordinator in order to apply
for the program.
What are the minimum qualifications for the MA for Sustainability program admission?
The MA for Sustainability application requirements are two-fold. An applicant must apply to both the
Toulouse Graduate School and to the Department of Design.
1. Applicants must apply for and be granted admission to the Toulouse Graduate School.
a. Applicant must supply English Proficiency test scores (Official GRE scores for all applicants;
TOEFL/IELI for international applicants only).
b. Applicant must supply official transcripts.
c. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. institution or equivalent degree at an international university in a related field (typically interior design or
architecture).
2. Applicants must also apply separately to the Department of Design and be accepted into the MA
for Sustainability program.
a. Applicants must submit a statement of purpose (500–800 words) articulating a topic of
sustainable design project/research interest and future career goals upon completion of
the degree.
b. Applicants must submit a professional résumé listing all relevant work experience,
affiliations, etc.
b. Applicants must submit at least three reference letters from persons familiar with their
academic and/or professional work if applicable.
d. Applicants may submit a portfolio of work relevant to their discipline that exhibits design
knowledge and skills. Applicants should identify their responsibility for any submitted work
completed as part of a team. Submit a portfolio of work relevant to your concentration area
What are the application deadlines for the MA for Sustainability program?
The Non-UNT student applicant needs to start the program by taking the 6 credit course, ADES 5644
INTD: Practicum Project Preparation during a summer semester. For Summer admissions in general,
May 15 for the Graduate School and April 15 for the Department of Design.
Although official application deadlines for the Graduate School are later than the department
deadlines, the above suggestions help your application materials to be reviewed smoothly. Please
note that your portfolio, professional resume, letters of recommendation, letter/statement of intent,
etc. to the department will not be reviewed until the Graduate School has completed the evaluation
of your application.
Please note that the MA for Sustainability program for Non-UNT students will not be offered for
either Fall/Spring semester start.
Where is the MA for Sustainability program taught?
Most of graduate courses for the MA for Sustainability will be offered in the Design Research
Collaborative (DRC) in downtown Dallas, 1901 Main Street, based on course availability and
scheduling. The DRC location will provide convenient access to the program for regional professional
design community. Since the MA for Sustainability program is located in a vital and prosperous
region with an active design community and industry professionals are available and willing to
provide support, providing more opportunities to expose and integrate the graduate students with
the regional professional community through collaborative projects will be an excellent benefit.
What's an MA?
What is the difference between MA and MFA programs at UNT?
In general, the MA (Master of Arts) is a master degree available on the graduate level in both fine
arts and design. The MA is a postgraduate degree and usually signifies that the recipient has passed
an integrated course of study in one or more of the humanities, fine arts, or design. It typically
requires two years of work beyond a bachelor's degree.
In contrast with the MA degree, the MFA (Master of Fine Arts) is a terminal degree available on the
graduate level in both fine arts and design. In virtually every state in the US, the MFA is the terminal
degree required for teaching interior design in higher education.
The MA for Sustainability program at UNT was created to provide UNT interior design students and
the design community of North Texas the opportunity to acquire expanded knowledge on green and
sustainable design to enhance their professional work and careers. Although our program has
integrated this important subject across our curriculum for many years, this MA degree will add
significant competency and applicable skills for those who choose to complete the degree. It is a 36
credits program.
The UNT MFA Interior Design program curriculum is based on independent study to create new
knowledge. The student is required to have a concentrated area of study, focusing on a specific topic
in interior design and its related fields. When your research focus is identified, a major professor and
faculty committee members with expertise in your interest areas will be assigned to you. Typically,
your cohort group in seminar classes will be composed of students from other disciplines in CVAD.
The program requires self-direction and self-discipline on the part of the candidate to meet the high
standards required. The UNT MFA Interior Design program is not designed for obtaining practical
experience or certifications. You will execute a Problem In Lieu of Thesis (PILOT) study and
manuscript. The PILOT is an outcome of your research. You will prepare an exhibit of this research
based project and other relevant work for public view and defend your PILOT to your MFA
Committee. This program requires 60 credits and takes at least three or three and a half years to
complete.
In case the MA for Sustainability student wants to transfer into the UNT MFA Interior Design
program, all graduate credits the student taken will be counted for the MFA program. Please note
that the MFA program requires professional design experience so you need to meet that
requirement criteria. Please consult with your advisor or the graduate coordinator for further details.
Do you have a doctoral program for Interior Design?
No, we do not offer a doctoral program for Interior Design currently. The MFA in Interior Design
program is a terminal degree in fine arts and design and considered as equivalent to a Ph.D. program.
Will I write a dissertation for the MA for Sustainability?
You will not be required to write a dissertation. You will execute research based sustainable design
projects as a Practicum in Interior Design Sustainability in addition to relevant course work. You are
required to present your projects for critical evaluation and analysis by the Graduate Review
Committee.
What is the typical course load per semester? How many credits is each class worth?
The typical course load per semester ranges from 9 to 12 credits. Each class is 3 credits except a 6
credit summer class, ADES 5644 IDES: Practicum Project Preparation. For tuition and fees please see:
http://studentaccounting.unt.edu/tuition-and-fees
How long does the MA for Sustainability program take?
The MA for Sustainability is a 36 credit hour program and typically takes 1.5 years. Non-UNT students
such as design professionals and recent interior design graduates can earn the MA degree within 1.5
years from the summer semester they start.
Are weekends or online classes available since I’m working full time during the day?
At this time, the majority of the classes are offered between the hours of 8:00 – 5:00 pm during
weekdays. There are some evening classes but it is strongly recommended that you plan to go to
classes full-time during the day.
Are the MA and MFA programs accredited through CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation)?
No. CIDA does not accredit graduate programs because the content is too diverse and specialized for
standardization.
The UNT Interior Design undergraduate program has been continuously accredited by the Council for
Interior Design Accreditation (formerly FIDER) beginning in 1977. CIDA provides the foundation for
excellence in the interior design profession by setting standards for education and accrediting
academic programs that meet those standards. Specific information regarding this accreditation can
be found at http://www.accredit-id.org
Is the GRE required?
Yes, but scores on the GRE do not need to be submitted during the admission process if the test has
not yet been taken. If the scores are not submitted with all other application materials, they must be
submitted prior to the end of your first semester in the MA for Sustainability program. If not, you will
not be permitted to register for further semesters until the scores have been received. The “general GRE” exam is required, not the “subject matter GRE.” Although a minimum score is not required, successful students in the past have had verbal scores
above 400. The faculty members in the Department of Design consider your scores on the GRE as
another indicator of potential success in the graduate program, and therefore suggest that the test
should not be taken lightly. For information regarding locations of testing centers and testing dates,
etc., visit the GRE website at www.gre.org
These FAQs do not address all of my questions. Is there a person I could contact?
If you have additional questions, please contact the Interior Design Graduate Program Coordinator
or Design Department Office at 940-565-3621.
Phillip Park, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Interior Design Graduate Program Coordinator
Department of Design
College of Visual Arts & Design
University of North Texas
[email protected]
MA for Sustainability Course Work
Major
3 CR
3 CR
3 CR
3 CR
3 CR
3 CR
6 CR
24 CR
ADES 5515: Critical Thinking
ADES 5520: Design Research Methods
ADES 5530: Design Research Theory
ADES 5635: INTD: Introduction to LEED Certification Systems & Accreditations
ADES 5640: INTD: Environmental Systems for Sustainability
ADES 5642: INTD: Seminar in Design Sustainability
ADES 5644: INTD: INTD: Practicum Project Preparation
Minor
6CR
Course decisions to be made with faculty approval
6CR
Practicum
3 CR ADES 5646: INTD: Practicum in INTD Sustainability I
3 CR ADES 5648: INTD: Practicum in INTD Sustainability II
6CR
36 CR Total