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Chatham University's Master of Interior Architecture (MIA) is a CIDA-accredited graduate program designed for career-changers who hold an undergraduate degree outside interior design or architecture. Set in Chatham Eastside in Pittsburgh, this six-term, 54-credit-hour program blends studio-based learning with a flexible schedule built for working adults, so you can complete your degree in two years.
The recommended application deadline for fall admission is July 1. Chatham continues to review applications for the MIA program on a rolling basis as long as seats remain available.
Each semester includes one virtual course, and in-person classes are scheduled in the afternoon and evening, allowing working professionals to pursue their MIA without pausing their careers.
The MIA is a 54-credit-hour program, which can be completed in two years.
Our program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). Visit this page for all accreditation and student data information.
"The reason I would recommend anyone to come to Chatham: they have a curriculum and they have a faculty that's here to support you, in whatever lane you want to take. There's something for everyone, no matter what your experience is."—Kortney Zoelle, MIA '12
Employers value graduates of CIDA-accredited programs because it signals a depth and breadth of professional preparation. Studying in an accredited program opens the door to a wider range of employers. It also means you're eligible to sit for the NCIDQ exam immediately after graduation, which is a licensure requirement in most states.
Chatham's Master of Interior Architecture (MIA) is a six-term, 54-credit-hour professional CIDA-accredited degree program. The courses include a wide range of topics, such as the History of Architecture, Building Codes, Design and Behavior, and industry sector-focused courses. Click the button below to learn more about the curriculum progression and courses.
Explore MIA Curriculum : Checkerboard 2 - Courses & Curriculum
Why study at a small school in the heart of a major city? Simple: you get the benefits of a closely-knit community with all the resources of an urban environment, just a hop, skip and a jump away.
Chatham's Interior Architecture program's full-time and part-time professors are teachers and practitioners with industry connections that they can put to work for their students. Our faculty are also researchers in the industry, writing textbooks and working with professional organizations. They serve as mentors and advisors and are there for you every step of the way.
Meet the Faculty : Checkerboard 4 - Program Faculty
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 and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Laurel Highlands of Pennsylvania. We also benefit from partnerships with organizations like the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), which specifically offers certifications and professional education to ensure the effectiveness of collaborative projects.
MIA alumni are some of our best ambassadors. From professors to classes to networking, listen to them talk about what makes Chatham's Master of Interior Architecture program remarkable.
The interior architecture program resides at Chatham Eastside, a LEED Silver building that utilizes sustainable design practices, recycled materials, and energy-efficient lighting to create a unique academic and social space in an urban setting. The studios are outfitted with adjustable drafting tables for individual and group work. Each studio is also equipped with mobile whiteboards for lectures, and individual or group brainstorming, plus the teaching studios have monitors and projectors for laptop plugin and presentations.
Explore Chatham Eastside : Checkerboard 7 - Location & Studio Space
Some of the companies where our graduates have found employment include Perkins Eastman, Nile Johnson Interior Design, Anne Kustner Lighting Design, Bouyea & Associates, Inc., Gerald Lee Morosco Architects PC, Ethan Allen, Workplace Environments, Desmone and Associates Architects, Stantec Architecture.
The cost of a graduate degree consists of university tuition (per credit charge), fees, and any other personal expenses you may require. Chatham also offers professional (and program-aligned) work positions and a Chatham alumni discount program for many graduate programs to reduce your costs. Our Financial Aid and Admissions offices will also work with you to understand the available loan and financing options.
Explore Tuition & Fees : Checkerboard 9 - Tuition & Funding
Learn more about Chatham's MIA program admissions process, requirements, and information for international applicants.
View Admissions Requirements : Checkerboard 10 - Admissions Requirements
Click the button below to learn more about Chatham University's Master of Interior Architecture (MIA) program's philosophy, mission, and goals.
Explore MIA Mission & Goals : Checkerboard 11 - MIA Philosophy, Mission, & Goals
The interior design program leading to the Masters of Interior Architecture is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, 206 Cesar E. Chavez Avenue SW, Suite 350, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503. The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, for advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations. The Masters of Interior Architecture granted by Chatham University meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). For more information about NCIDQ Exam eligibility visit this website.
View Accreditation & Student Data : Checkerboard 12 - Accreditation
Take the next step in your graduate journey by visiting campus or attending an upcoming event. Join virtual info sessions, open houses, or admitted student sessions to learn more about the MIA program and application process, meet faculty, and experience the Chatham community. Email graduate@chatham.edu with any questions.
View Graduate Event Schedule : Checkerboard 13 - Visits & Events
