Julie Watkins Combines Design and Teaching Talents with an MFA
| 5 Min Read
From an early age, Julie Watkins knew she had two distinct passions – creating beauty and teaching others. By earning an online Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design at Brenau University, she integrated both interests into a career path that maximizes her opportunities for advancement.
Prior to completing her online MFA program, Julie was co-owner of a design build company and also taught two classes as an adjunct instructor at Meredith College, where she had received a Bachelor of Science in interior design in 2007. Julie had earned a Master of Teaching degree from North Carolina State University in 2012, and she initially thought that qualified her to become a full-time instructor.
“I thought I could just get a master’s but it’s actually a specific type of program that they were looking for,” said Julie. “I met with my department head and dean. I had been teaching at Meredith as an adjunct for a few years and wanted to pursue this full time as my career path. They explained tenure vs. non-tenure track and that the MFA is the terminal degree to teach interior design at our school. That’s when I went online and started looking for MFA programs, and Brenau University was one of the ones toward the top.”
When she began the MFA interior design program, Julie transitioned out of her design build business and Meredith College hired her as a full-time teacher contingent upon her completing the MFA degree.
“Everything I learned I’ve brought into my classroom,” explained Julie. “If one of the Brenau professors shared a PowerPoint with us that was amazing, I would share with my students the very next day. I learned so much and was able to directly apply it to my teaching.”
A Partnership Approach to a Personalized Curriculum
Julie said that Brenau went to great lengths to customize her MFA program, considering she already had a Master of Teaching and professional experience in interior design and education.
“For example, there was a class about teaching, but I was already doing that. They allowed me to substitute some real-world applications that I was already doing in the classroom and counted studying for and passing the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) certification as one of my elective courses. They went above and beyond to work the program into the fabric of my life,” said Julie.
“There were none of these little ancillary classes that you’re just having to do to get through the program. Once you’re working on your thesis, you’re for the most part working on your thesis,” she continued. “It never felt like I was doing busy work or random assignments that didn’t directly apply to my thesis.”
She said she also received exceptional support from the university. “Breneau just held my hand the whole time and told me this is when this is due; we’re going to pay for it. This is the website. I’ve never experienced that in any of my other degree programs. Everybody was very communicative. Usually I sent an email and within an hour I would get a response.”
Based on her experience as a Brenau student, she increased the amount of individualized support she provided to her own students. “We had a ton of one-on-one student to professor interaction at Brenau. I used to do a lot more whole-class activities but after the MFA program, I now schedule more one-on-one meetings with my students at certain points throughout the semester, knowing how pivotal that was for me,” added Julie.
Julie also appreciated the flexibility of earning her MFA interior design online, which enabled her to continue working full-time. “Pretty much every semester we got to pick the schedule that worked best for us. I prefer online learning because you self-schedule. You can make it work within your life which isn’t as easy to do with a completely face-to-face program,” said Julie.
Completing the online MFA program has opened up more opportunities for Julie. “I didn’t have to get my MFA; I still could have worked here at Meredith, but I would have been very limited in where I could go professionally. Getting that MFA, the terminal degree here, I can do whatever I want, go to whatever position I so desire,” said Julie.
Top 4 Reasons to Earn Your MFA Interior Design Online at Brenau University
- 24/7 access to courses – Set your own study schedule and continue working as you earn your MFA. All courses are 100% online.
- Customized curriculum – Work with Brenau’s supportive faculty to tailor your program to fit your personal goals, interests and experience.
- Streamlined admission – No GRE, GMAT or application fee is required. Transfer up to nine credits and choose from six start dates.
- Versatile career opportunities – This program prepares you for MFA master teacher roles, including pursuit of tenure tracks as an assistant or associate university professor. Or advance in interior design as a senior designer or director.
Learn more about the online Brenau University MFA in Interior Design
Achieve Your Goals with a Graduate Degree from Brenau
In addition to the online MFA program in Interior Design, Brenau University offers master’s and post-graduate degrees, certificates and endorsements across a wide range of disciplines such as business, communication, education and healthcare. Explore our online programs.