Master of Interior Architecture | Chatham University, Pittsburgh, PA

The Master of Interior Architecture is a first professional interior design program that prepares students for practice in an interior design or architecture firm. The program, accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), is geared toward students with in fields other than interior architecture or interior design.

This two-year, five-semester program stresses a holistic design approach, which is developed by:

Encouraging students to consider all factors that influence the design of interior spaces (human behavior, aesthetics, building technology, internal and external views, surrounding structures and architecture, etc.)
A curriculum that focuses on the design of residential and commercial spaces – how space is organized, developed three-dimensionally, finished with materials and color, lit, furnished, and designed to incorporate user needs and building codes.
Creating opportunities for students to engage in projects that employ these knowledge bases and skills to hone a practice-ready understanding of interior architecture and design.

Our Approach

Chatham's Interior Architecture program is your place to connect. Through the curriculum, our students connect with the passion they have for interior design and their desire to creatively transform the spaces around them. With class sizes that encourage participation and ensure personal attention, our instructors link students' understanding of the fundamentals of the field to the specialty paths of their choice. The culmination of the IA program, the capstone event brings students, faculty, and the region's interior design community together to showcase student work and create connections that serve our graduates well in their professional lives.

Student Chatter

"I was drawn to Chatham because of the small class sizes – I came from a large undergrad program and Chatham had a very welcoming atmosphere. I get a lot of one-on-one attention from my teachers."

"The sequence of classes builds a solid foundation for you to carry into the real design world."

"I love the internship component – it really gives me a taste of the job market I'm getting into and really supplements what we learn inside the classroom."

"The professors truly want their students to succeed, and it's apparent in their style of teaching and interaction with the students."

"Chatham is the place that helps you evolve into the designer you've always wanted to be."

"I love the facetime we get with faculty. Because of the small class sizes, I get plenty of feedback on my projects and creative consultation from each instructor."

Partnerships

Partnerships add to the student experience by developing interesting design perspectives and preparing graduates for client project success from concept to reality. One such unique relationship is with Fallingwater, the Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece located in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania, that lets students see and interact with inspired design in practice. We also benefit from partnerships with organizations like the Pittsburgh Chapter of Construction Specifications Institute, which specifically offers certifications and professional education to ensure the effectiveness of collaborative projects.

Campuses

At Chatham's LEED-Certified Eastside Campus, the Interior Architecture program has classrooms and areas designated specifically for students' hands-on, experiential learning. Just a mile from Eastside, Chatham's Shadyside Campus offers historic buildings teeming with architectural detail and unique interior spaces that showcase modern use respectful of their history. Chatham's Eden Hall Campus, located in Pittsburgh's North Hills, features new green development and design that integrates and functions with its rural surroundings. Together, the three distinct design environments let Chatham students' creativity take shape.

Eastside Workspace

The Interior Architecture programs enjoy state-of-the-art LEED Silver facilities at Chatham Eastside including a dedicated CAD lab for design students, five design studios, a resource room housing only sustainable materials and plenty of open pin-up space for informal class meetings and critiques. The architects of these spaces utilized sustainable design practices, recycled materials, and energy-efficient lighting to create an academic and social space within a green environment.

Sustainability

Sustainability is woven through Chatham's culture and is an integral part to everything we do, from practices we adopt to academic programs we offer. In the IA programs, the focus on sustainability is evident, with faculty boasting specializations in green design, sustainable materials, environmental building issues, and other sustainability-related areas. Our experts translate their knowledge to the curriculum, guiding students in their research of, development with, and practice in green techniques. Along with the foundational knowledge acquired throughout their studies, these principles prepare our graduates to lead the field's design of a more sustainable future.

Chatham University

Master of Interior Architecture (MIA)

Chatham University's Interior Architecture graduate program drives students to turn their passions for design into careers that inspire them.

Our Approach

Project Presentations

Capstone Event

Student Chatter

Partnerships

IA Partnerships

Campuses

Eastside Workspace

Campuses

Shadyside

Eastside

Sustainability

Green Design

Sustainability @ Chatham