Online Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design
A personalized, online MFA
100% online
Expert faculty
Credit for teaching experience
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Complete this form to receive information about coursework, admissions, tuition and more.
- Duration 2 years
- Cost per credit $866
- Credit Hours 36
Program Benefits
- Transfer up to nine credits
- No GRE/GMAT
- No application fee
- Six start dates per year
From here, you can.
Brenau University’s Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design program features coursework in classroom preparation as well as teaching and assessing in an online environment. Personalize your degree by building your concentration with guidance from Brenau’s expert faculty members. You’ll complete a thesis and teach undergraduate interior design classes to earn this online interior design degree and graduate prepared for advanced practice or academic positions.
Advance in teaching interior design
An MFA in Interior Design will prepare you to pursue advancement opportunities for a more rewarding and meaningful career. Our graduates have found success in academia and interior design thanks to the skills and knowledge gained at Brenau. With this degree, you’ll qualify for positions such as post-secondary professor ($92,897/year1) and director of interior design ($113,4762).
Career OutlookDesign your concentration for a customized degree
Personalize your MFA by building your concentration with help from Brenau’s expert faculty. You’ll receive guidance in pursuing the area of concentration that’s right for you and continued support as you complete your study.
Complete a fully online curriculum
12 courses
36 total credits
Complete coursework focused on research, instruction, virtual learning and more to earn your online interior design degree from Brenau. You’ll write a thesis and teach an undergraduate class to graduate prepared for the next step in your career.
Course spotlights
- ID 660 Interior Design Classroom Preparation
- ID 661 Applied Interior Design Classroom Instruction
- ID 610 Online Education
- ID 680 Interior Design Research Methods
It’s always a good time to apply
No GRE/GMAT
No application fee
The online master’s degree in interior design offers six start dates per year, so you can apply anytime and pursue your education as soon as possible. With no application fee, you can apply risk-free.
To apply to Brenau’s online Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design, you’ll need:
| Undergraduate degree in Interior Design or Architecture |
| Official transcripts for all previously attended undergraduate and graduate institutions |
| Copy of updated professional resume/curriculum vitae |
| Portfolio of student work and/or professional work |
We strive to make your education affordable
$866 per credit
$31,176 total tuition
By choosing Brenau, you’re investing in a degree that will set you on a path to a successful career. Along with affordable tuition, you can pursue federal financial aid to make your education even more cost-effective.
Tuition DetailsWhat you’ll learn
Explore topics including classroom preparation and instruction in the online Master of Fine Arts program from Brenau University. Graduate ready to advance in your career and pursue a rewarding position in teaching, interior design or architecture.
Program outcomes
With Brenau’s online MFA in Interior Design, you can:
- Demonstrate knowledge and techniques for evidence-based research and apply them to a design.
- Research, plan, implement and assess undergraduate interior design courses.
- Implement critical thinking skills as related to design analysis and project solutions.
- Grasp links between professional practice and design research.
- Express knowledge of critical issues in design education and research.
- Exhibit competency in written and oral communication and visual literacy.
About our dedicated, supportive faculty
Faculty members at Brenau are dedicated to helping you succeed. Most classes feature a small student-to-faculty ratio, so you can get to know your professors and their unique areas of expertise. As you broaden your professional network, you’ll have the mentorship and support of our faculty throughout your program.
Faculty spotlight
Margaret Gilchrist Serrato, Ph.D., MBA, AIA, ASID, LEED AP
Interior Design MFA Director
Margaret Gilchrist Serrato, Ph.D., has been a professor at Brenau University since 2003 and the director of Brenau’s Interior Design MFA since 2019. Previously, she taught at the Atlanta College of Art, American Intercontinental University, Louisville Institute of Interior Design, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences and Converse College. Serrato’s research interest is the relationship between building configuration and informal communication among knowledge workers. She regularly presents and publishes research through various professional organizations, including the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP), Tradeline, CoreNet, International Facility Management Association (IFMA), Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), NeoCon and the International Space Syntax Symposia. She earned her Ph.D. in Architecture, Culture and Behavior from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Serrato also holds an MBA, Master’s in Architecture, Master’s in Environmental Psychology and MFA in Interior Design.
Online learning
At Brenau, you will learn in small classes, which gives you plenty of opportunities to ask questions and receive one-on-one support from your professors. With flexible scheduling and online delivery, we make education fit into your busy life. Our programs respond to the needs of today’s students, so you’ll receive the education you need to become a leader who makes a difference. From here, you can.
Discover Brenau OnlineFrequently asked questions
Explore our frequently asked questions for in-depth answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us.
You’ll need a GPA of 3.0 to apply to the program. You can learn more about this policy on our admissions page.
Individuals who hold a MFA in Interior Design often pursue careers such as assistant professor, associate professor and design director with salaries that range from $72,390 to $101,313 and growth rates as high as 12%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Payscale. Learn more about your career options by visiting our careers page.
The online MFA in Interior Design is only available online. This allows you to study at the best times and locations throughout your entire program without any requirement to come to campus. However, online students are always welcome to visit Brenau’s campus, even without in-person requirements.
You can complete the program in two years, but transfer credits may reduce the time it takes you to earn this degree. To see the curriculum, view our courses page.
Tuition is $866 per credit hour. You’ll need to complete 36 credit hours for a total tuition of $31,176. Transfer credits may reduce your total tuition. You can review all costs on our tuition page.
Sources
- Payscale. “Average Professor, Postsecondary / Higher Education Salary.” Retrieved April 24, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/.
- Payscale. “Average Design Director, Interior Design Salary.” Retrieved April 24, 2025, from https://www.payscale.com/.