NYSID View Book 2026

Where Passion Finds Purpose

Creativity Unleashed

If you’re considering studying at this small, single-discipline college located in the world’s design capital, you’re passionate about interior design. New York School of Interior Design has been advancing the study of interior design since the College’s founding in 1916. From the history of architecture to designing with AI, this is the place where you’ll gain the mastery that will give your creativity wings. Welcome to our diverse and supportive community of designers. Here, you’ll learn how to put your passion to purpose.

“The New York School of Interior Design produces critical thinkers who approach design through social, cultural, and historical lenses.”

Why Choose NYSID?

Here’s what sets a NYSID education apart:

01Personal Attention

NYSID is a small school where lifelong friendships are forged. The student-to-faculty ratio is 11 to 1. You’ll have real relationships with your instructors, and our alumni community will be invested in your success.

03 Focus

04Connections & Outcomes

As of 2024, 94% of our graduate students were employed or pursuing further education, and 92% of our undergraduate students were employed or pursuing further education within one year of graduation, in part due to our industry-focused approach. Our students get to know leaders in the field through guest critiques, internships, competitions for prominent brands, working at show houses, and more.

02Reputation

At this single-discipline institution, you can focus 100% on interior design. Even the liberal arts courses in the BFA program are designed to propel your design career.

People in design and architecture know NYSID. In its short list of the best interior design programs, Architectural Digest called out NYSID for producing “critical thinkers who can look at design through social, cultural, and historical lenses.”

House Beautiful identified it as a top program that provides “an education focused on innovative, immersive, and transformative spaces.”

05Flexibility

We offer unrivaled flexibility. For most of our programs, you’ll have the option to attend part time or full time, with some programs also offered entirely online, or in the combination of online and in person that works best for you.

06Belonging

Our community is international and intergenerational. Creating a culture of belonging that empowers all students to succeed is an ongoing priority.

Faculty

NYSID’s faculty is composed of more than 100 practicing designers. Many own their own companies or work in leadership positions at prominent firms. Among them are instructors with specialized expertise: textiles designers, design historians, furniture makers, restorers, fine artists, graphic artists, architects, sustainability consultants, and lighting designers. Here are three of many talented instructors.

AMY EVERARD, NCIDQ, LEED AP, is an interior designer, artist, and the owner of Soft Landing Studio. Before launching her firm, she worked at Perkins Eastman and Rockwell Group. Creating joy, applying behavioral insights, and practicing sustainability are core to her approach. She hosts the design podcast “Soft Landing.” At NYSID, she teaches multiple studios in the graduate and undergraduate programs, Adobe InDesign, and Design & Drawing I & II.

LEYDEN LEWIS, founder and creative director of Leyden Lewis Design Studio, has been an Architectural Digest AD100 interior designer from 2021 to present, and on ELLE Décor’s “A-List.” He’s shown his fine art at the Studio Museum in Harlem and his interiors in the Kips Bay Decorators Show House. A founding member of the Black Artists + Designers Guild (BADG), he’s an instructor of Interior Design Studio I and II in the MFA programs.

HOLLY HAYDEN TAYLOR ’09 (BFA), NCIDQ, CID, is executive design director at Jeremiah Brent Design, and a NYSID alumna. The firm has been on the Architectural Digest AD100 list from 2023 to present. Holly teaches an online asynchronous version of NYSID’s first residential studio in the undergraduate programs.

What Is Interior Design?

Design shapes our emotions, influences our behaviors, and defines how we experience the world around us. It’s not just about making a space look good—it’s about how interiors function, evolve, and enhance the human experience.

Interior design goes beyond decoration; it is an intricate balance of psychology, space planning, lighting, design history, technology, and functionality. Decoration plays an essential role—it’s often what first sparks inspiration and draws people into the field. But true design goes deeper. A well-designed space starts with research: It tells a story, serves a purpose, and anticipates the needs of the people who use it. It considers how we live, work, heal, and connect in a space, whether it’s a home, a hospital, a classroom, a restaurant, or a workplace.

True design endures. It is intentional, impactful, and human-centered. And the key to creating spaces that transcend trends and time? A formal education that equips designers with the knowledge, skills, and vision to shape the built environment thoughtfully and responsibly. Interior design isn’t just a career—it’s a way to shape the world.

Interior design is…

Not an afterthought.

The best interior design is based on a concept generated by research into the needs, behaviors, and desires of the end-user, and is integrated with the architecture from the start of the design process.

Not frivolous.

It’s a powerful part of our daily lives and affects how we live, work, play, rest, and thrive.

Not a hobby.

OK, for some it’s a hobby, but a NYSID education is about making you a professional with the knowledge to protect the health, well-being, and safety of the public.

Find Your Path

Whatever your goals, NYSID has an option for you. You might be a young adult planning your higher education, a working professional finally ready to pursue your dream career, or an established designer who wants specialized knowledge to lead. With eight programs in design and more than 100 expert faculty members, NYSID can propel you forward.

Earn your undergraduate degree

If you’re a high school graduate with a creative mind and a passion for interiors, NYSID offers one of the most reputable and exciting undergraduate interior design educations out there, enriched by the context of New York City and the College’s deep connections in the industry. NYSID’s undergraduate courses are offered online and in person, full time, and part time.

STUDY OPTIONS:

ƒ Basic Interior Design Certificate (BID)

ƒ Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Launch a new career

ƒ Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

If you have an undergraduate degree in something unrelated to design and have been dreaming about actualizing your design talent, NYSID can help you change your life and career. Do you require a flexible course of study that works with a job or parenting? Or do you want to immerse yourself fully? All of NYSID’s options provide a path to professional transformation and success.

STUDY OPTIONS:

ƒ Basic Interior Design Certificate (BID)

ƒ Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Advance your career

ƒ Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

ƒ Master of Fine Arts (MFA1)

If you already have a degree in interior design, architecture, architectural engineering, or a related discipline, and are working in the field, NYSID can help you obtain a master’s-level degree in design along with a specialized skill set that will set you apart and position you for leadership.

STUDY OPTIONS:

ƒ Post-Professional Master of Fine Arts (MFA2)

ƒ Master of Professional Studies in Design of Healthcare Environments (MPSH)

ƒ Master of Professional Studies in Lighting Design (MPSL)

Discover interior design

ƒ Master of Professional Studies in Digital Practice Management (MPSM)

ƒ Master of Professional Studies in Sustainable Interior Environments (MPSS)

ƒ Institute for Continuing & Professional Studies (ICPS)

If you are not set on an interior design career yet, you can explore if it is right for you.

STUDY OPTIONS:

ƒ Basic Interior Design Certificate (BID)

ƒ Non-matriculated courses

ƒ Institute for Continuing & Professional Studies (ICPS)

Your Future in Interior Design Starts Now

Consider a college that’s known internationally for one thing: producing the best-prepared interior designers in the business. NYSID’s undergraduate programs are totally flexible with part-time, full-time, and online options; and you need not commit to how far you want to go when you start. The programs stack, which means the credits from the BID certificate can be applied to the AAS, and the AAS credits feed into the BFA.

“Completely dedicated to interior design, NYSID is committed to an education focused on innovative, immersive, and transformative spaces.”

86% of students take some courses online

29% of students receive financial aid

Undergraduate Curriculum

7 TH SEMESTER

Design Studio VI: Residential C

Thesis Preparation

Art & Society II

Humanities I

Professional and liberal arts electives

5TH SEMESTER

Design Studio IV: Contract B

Lighting II

Graphic Communications V

Integrated Environments III:

Building Systems

Art & Society I

Design Research

8TH SEMESTER

Furniture Design

Thesis

Professional Practice II

Humanities II

Design history elective Electives

6 TH SEMESTER

Design Studio V: Contract C Kitchen & Bath Design People, Place & Culture

Design Theory

Design history elective Electives

3 RD SEMESTER

Design Studio II: Residential B

Lighting I

Graphic Communications III

Codes

Environment & Behavior

Design History II Electives

4 TH SEMESTER

Design Studio III: Contract A

Architectural Woodwork Detailing

Graphic Communications IV

Professional Practice I

Environmental Science

Design History III

Professional elective

1 ST SEMESTER

Design Fundamentals

Graphic Communications I

Color for Interiors

Hand Sketching and Rendering

English Composition I

Integrated Environments I: Textiles*

Basic Mathematics*

2ND SEMESTER

Design Studio I: Residential A

Design Thinking

Design History I

Graphic Communications II

Integrated Environments I: Textiles

Integrated Environments II: Materials & Methods*

Intro to Sustainability*

English Composition II*

*These classes are required for students pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (BFA)

ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED SCIENCE (AAS)

BASIC INTERIOR DESIGN (BID)

”The size of the school makes it feel very cozy and personal. One of my favorite places at NYSID is the library, where you can find so many interesting fabrics and materials that can be used for the projects.”

Mateusz Lukasz Jablonski (BID student)

573

total enrollment

440 undergraduate students

Basic Interior Design Certificate (BID)

ƒ 1 year (24 credits)

ƒ Full time or part time

ƒ No portfolio required

ƒ Online option available

If you love interior design but want to start carefully, this certificate program is the best way to dive into the fundamentals of design practice. You’ll learn everything from basic drafting to color theory, and you’ll put it all together in a residential design studio. This certificate has launched countless careers, and if you decide to go forward, your credits will roll into the AAS or BFA degrees.

nysid.edu/bid

30

average student age

”The BID was essential in getting all the preliminary classes to have a better understanding of the design industry. But I felt like after I took every class I wanted to learn more, and I found that the AAS would provide a more in-depth education to fully equip me for my future.

”

Lucy Yang (AAS student)

14% international students

Associate in Applied Science in Interior Design (AAS)

ƒ 2 years (66 credits)

ƒ Full time or part time

ƒ Portfolio required

ƒ Online option available

The Associate in Applied Science in Interior Design emphasizes core studies in a range of residential and commercial design studio courses, technology, and graphic communications, as well as courses in the history of architecture and the decorative arts. With this preprofessional degree, you’ll be able to hit the ground running as a design assistant. The credits from the AAS can be rolled over into the BFA degree when you decide to continue your studies.

34 countries represented

11:1 student-tofaculty ratio

nysid.edu/aas

”The faculty and staff strive to foster collaborative and exciting learning environments. My professors offer hands-on and individualized help, encouraging us to think outside of the box and push ourselves past limits.”

Nicolas Falce (BFA student)

110

11:1

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design (BFA)

ƒ 4 years (132 credits)

ƒ Full time or part time

ƒ Online option available

ƒ CIDA-accredited professional degree

Combining a comprehensive interior design curriculum with liberal arts courses that will be relevant to your career, our professional-level Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design program offers a rich and memorable college experience. Rigorous studios in commercial and residential design layer challenges, producing critical thinkers. Worldclass design history and travel-study courses, and the opportunity to study abroad for a semester in Italy, foster cultural literacy. You’ll graduate with the latest graphic communications skills. NYSID’s BFA is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), which means the degree gives you the foundation to sit for the NCIDQ certification exam.

Daniel

Ennead

Pembrooke & Ives

Studio Sofield

Studio Valle de Valle

Master What You Love

Interested in acquiring deep expertise in interior design?

NYSID has an array of master’s programs to propel you to the next phase of your career. If your undergraduate degree is in something unrelated to design, our Master of Fine Arts (MFA1) in Interior Design will provide you with a comprehensive education in interior design in just three years. The two-year Post-Professional Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design (MFA2) is intended for those who already have an undergraduate degree in interior design, architecture, or architectural engineering and want to expand their expertise. Choosing one of the four, one-year Master of Professional Studies degrees in Design of Healthcare Environments (MPSH), Lighting Design (MPSL), Sustainable Interior Environments (MPSS), or Digital Practice Management (MPSM) can help you master a specialty and stand out in an evolving field.

Most of NYSID’s in-person graduate courses are conducted at our Gensler-designed, LEED-Platinumcertified, Park Avenue South graduate facility, created to feel and function like a collaborative studio.

”The MFA1 program combines technical skills with creative exploration, offering students a solid foundation in the field. It was the right choice for me because it allowed me to build my skills from scratch and create a portfolio that showcases my passion and growth as a designer.”

Déjà Lyn Brown (MFA1 student)

Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design (MFA1)

ƒ 3 years (90 credits)

ƒ Full-time program, on-site

ƒ Portfolio optional

ƒ The only CIDA-accredited MFA program in New York State

NYSID’s MFA1 is a full-time, comprehensive program for aspiring interior designers with an undergraduate degree in a field other than interior design or architecture. Students are assigned a desk in a studio with the same peers for an entire year—one reason our MFA1 cohorts are known for being collaborative. Fall and spring semesters are for the gamut of courses, including studios that cover every sector. Summer sessions are reserved for “Experiential Learning,” a choice of internships, independent study, or NYSID’s unique Service Learning, in which students lead a project for a real, nonprofit client. This is a professional degree—and the only MFA accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) in New York State—which means the curriculum provides the foundation to sit for the NCIDQ exam.

”Having professors who are active designers in the industry ensures that we have relevant critiques and up-to-date knowledge of trends, materials, and technology. Their industry connections also bring in visiting faculty for critiques, offering us opportunities to network beyond the classroom.”

Shambhavi Sanjay (MFA2 student)

Patek Philippe

Perkins Eastman Sasaki

Studio Michael Ellison

Yabu Pushelberg

Post-Professional Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design (MFA2)

ƒ 2 years (60 credits)

ƒ Full-time program, on-site

The MFA2 program is for design professionals who want to broaden their expertise and explore interior design at a deeper level. This twoyear, full-time program encourages students to push the boundaries of their creativity while they are exposed to a broad range of challenging studio projects. It is open to those who have a professional degree in interior design, architecture, or architectural engineering. The program’s reputation for excellence draws talented designers from around the globe. In addition to general studios, students opt for specialty studios in product design, lighting design, set design, retail design, green design, furniture design, hospitality design, exhibition design, or landscape design. Students from this program have taken awards in almost every major industry design competition in recent years, including the Metropolis Future100, the International Design Awards, the LIV Hospitality Design Awards, the Architecture MasterPrize, and the BLT Built Design Awards.

Master of Professional Studies in Design of Healthcare Environments (MPSH)

ƒ 1 year (30 credits)

ƒ Online option available

ƒ STEM program

Designing chemotherapy rooms that give patients privacy; more efficient emergency operating theaters; amenities that help hospitals retain healthcare workers: All of these challenges have been addressed by graduates of NYSID’s MPSH. The healthcare industry is expanding to meet the challenges of the planet and its people, coupled with rapid innovation in healthcare technologies. In response, NYSID has created a unique interdisciplinary program that helps practicing designers acquire a broad knowledge of current research and theory in the design of healthcare interiors and apply it in focused studio experiences. The process NYSID teaches is evidence based, informed by medical planners, healthcare researchers, biophilia experts, and hospital administrators. All classes are offered in the evenings or during weekends.

nysid.edu/mpsh

40% the average salary boost for BIM-skilled architects

Master of Professional Studies in Digital Practice Management (MPSM)

ƒ 1 year (30 credits)

ƒ First and only program of its kind

ƒ STEM program

The majority of architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms are looking to implement new digital technologies and streamline project processes. That’s why digital practice leaders—architects and designers skilled in building information modeling (BIM) workflows—are increasingly in demand. NYSID’s MPSM prepares working professionals to lead digital project management for architecture and interior design firms. Digital practice management exists at the intersection of developing operational standards for companies, training staff, and managing projects. The goal is to align a company’s vision, strategy, and implementation, increasing the return on investment of the software. NYSID’s program instills expertise in core AEC software (such as Revit), coding, BIM, data exchange platforms, AI application, and systems integration. For their capstone project, students design a digital practice plan based on a set of conditions from a real company.

”The professors are spread out throughout different realms of the lighting industry, from engineering to design to controls. They work on widely different types of projects, including theater design, office design, libraries, and retail. This spread has been very useful in gaining an understanding of the industry as a whole.”

Master of Professional Studies in Lighting Design (MPSL)

ƒ 1 year (30 credits)

ƒ Online option available

ƒ STEM program

Lighting design is both an art and a science. Changing technologies, new energy efficiency regulations, and the demand for inspired, innovative solutions have created a strong demand for specialists in architectural lighting design, one reason this program’s students usually have job offers before they graduate. The MPSL is a STEM and design program open to those with a professional degree in interior design, architecture, theater, or a related field and offers classes in the evenings, in person or online.

nysid.edu/mpsl

RECENT ALUMNI EMPLOYERS

Amerlux

Domingo Gonzalez Associates

Fisher Marantz Stone

HLB Lighting Design Juniper

L+ARC Lighting Design

Office for Visual Interaction

One Lux Studio

”The MPSS program at NYSID is special because it provides interior designers with tools that foster innovation and sustainability, preparing us to make a significant impact as designers in the future. We can create a major change in the world through design and sustainability.”

Maria Luciana Viola (MPSS student)

Master of Professional Studies in Sustainable Interior Environments (MPSS)

ƒ 1 year (30 credits)

ƒ Online option available

ƒ STEM program

The MPSS is a post-professional program structured to prepare designers to assume leadership roles in developing and maintaining sustainable interior spaces. The guiding principles of the program are giving students the tools to evaluate the carbon footprint of the spaces they create, embodying circular design, and designing for well-being, resilience, and environmental justice. The program is for professionals already working in interior design, architecture, or architectural engineering, so it’s optimally flexible. nysid.edu/mpss

Student Life

NYSID students hail from 35 countries and almost every state in America. What they share is passion for interior design. Throughout the year, NYSID hosts social gatherings on campus and around New York City, puts on numerous talks and receptions featuring prominent designers like Jeremiah Brent and Athena Calderon, and students participate in a growing number of clubs. Clubs include the NYSID Green Design Group, Graduate Student Association, and Undergraduate Student Association, along with student chapters of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), Asian American Pacific Islander Design Alliance (AAPIDA X NYSID), Black Design Collective (BDC), and International Interior Design Association.

Additionally, the Student Academic Support (SASS) center sponsors study groups over pizza. And the Counseling Services Center hosts workshops that promote emotional health and help designers access creativity.

Travel Study

NYSID’s Travel Study is extensive, unique, and design-specific. In addition to a full semester abroad in Florence, Italy, in partnership with the Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA), NYSID offers students in every degree program the chance to take short travel courses over winter and summer breaks. These courses, led by design experts, are oneto-three weeks long. Spain, Japan, Southern California, and southern India are on the horizon.

1,525 miles of bike lanes

170+

museums

1,700+ parks and recreational facilities

14 miles of public beaches

New York City Is Our Campus

There’s something to learn about design on every corner of NYC. Living here will put you in the heart of the design world. NYSID’s Manhattan locations—our Upper East Side campus and our Graduate Center at 28th Street—are close to world-renowned cultural institutions, such as the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum; the Cloisters; the Guggenheim; the Metropolitan Museum of Art; the Museum of Modern Art; and the Frick Collection. With instructors and on their own, our students explore major design resources, such as the New York Design Center, the Decoration & Design (D&D) Building, and the Architects & Designers (A&D) Building.

800+ languages spoken across the city

#3

world’s most diverse cities

100+

Broadway and off-Broadway theatres

#1

best U.S. cities

“The entire city is your studio. From the buildings to the people and the events you can immerse yourself in, studying in NYC surrounds you with pure energy and a creative culture that teaches you in more ways than one. To me, there’s nothing better than that.”

CARMEN GRAHAM (MFA1 STUDENT)

538

interior design firms

Career Outcomes

Among the most important benchmarks of NYSID’s success are where our students go after graduation, and how they develop throughout their careers. Once you’ve been a NYSID student, the door to NYSID’s Office of Career and Internship Services (OCIS) is always open to you. OCIS offers:

• Job listings from NYSID’s extensive network of leading firms

• Ongoing advising with one-on-one portfolio and resume review

• Portfolio events with “speed-mentoring”: rapid-fire feedback from principals and managers

The drive of NYSID students, the reputation of the College, the expertise of our career services team, and our powerful alumni network are some of the reasons our graduates succeed.

92% of our undergraduate students were employed or pursuing further education within a year of graduating

94% of our graduate students were employed or pursuing further education within a year of graduating

Beyer Blinder Belle Architects

CannonDesign

Champalimaud

Design

Charles & Co.

Corey Damen

Jenkins & Associates

David Scott Interiors

Drake/Anderson

Ferguson & Shamamian

Architects

Gachot Studios

Gensler

HOK

Ingrao Inc.

Jamie Drake

Jeremiah Brent Design

Jonathan Adler

Mark Hampton LLC

Martin Brudnizki

Design Studio

Meyer Davis Studio

Patek Philippe

Pembrooke & Ives

Perkins&Will

Perkins Eastman

Ralph Lauren Rees Roberts + Partners

Robert A.M. Stern

Architects (RAMSA)

Rockwell Group

Selldorf Architects

SheltonMindel

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM)

The Standard Hotels

Studio Sofield

The Up Studio

Victoria Hagan Interiors

ZGF Architects LLP

“When I am looking to hire, NYSID is always my first port of call.”

ALEXA HAMPTON PRESIDENT, MARK HAMPTON LLC

“As parents, we really want one thing, and that is when we send our kids out into the universe, we want to know there are people who will care about them and shepherd them along the way. Every experience I have had at NYSID… has shown me this is a place that gives kids a chance—more than a chance—to succeed.”

NATE BERKUS

$75,000

median annual salary for interior designers in 2023

10.1% of interior designers make $150K+ per year, and the majority hold NCIDQ and/or CID certification

Career Options

Within the field of interior design, there are a wealth of career options. You can start your own practice or work for a firm. You can go in-house for a brand, hospital system, or government agency. Or specialize in a particular skill like lighting or sustainability or sector like hospitality or residential design.

Residential Design

Design of the spaces we live in.

Island Retreat, NY • Drew McGukin ‘10 (AAS)

Commercial Design

Design of the spaces we work in.

The Wallace Foundation, NYC • Kiki Dennis ‘00 (AAS)

Healthcare Design

Design of healthcare environments.

Brooklyn Hospital Center, NYC • Antonio Rodriguez-Arguelles ‘13 (MFA2)

alkin/mason photography, courtesy of ewingcole

Retail Design

Design of retail stores.

Moose Knuckles, NYC • Estefania Diaz ’15

Cultural, Education & Design

Design of schools, museums, libraries, and other public spaces.

Wellesley College Science Center, Wellesley, Mass. • Minh Lai ‘17 (MPSL)

Hospitality Design

Design of hotels and restaurants.

Grand Hyatt Kuwait • Amanda Davis ‘15 (MFA1)

photo: anthony parkinson, courtesy of meyer davis studio

“I think the networking NYSID offers is an absolute necessity. It makes the step of getting a job way less stressful when you actually have relationships and kinship in the field.“

PINTELLO ’25 (MFA1)

5,483 living alumni

The NYSID Network

Few other colleges can boast such a robust alumni network of professionals working in interior design. Our alumni are principals, partners and directors at large multinational firms, including HOK, Gensler, Perkins&Will, and Perkins Eastman; and internationally known boutique firms, including Anthony Baratta, Inc., TenBerke, Jeremiah Brent Design, David Scott Interiors, Robert A.M. Stern Architects Interiors, and Williams Lawrence. Our alumni and trustees create opportunities for NYSID students, from participation at high-profile charity events, to internships and symposia. There’s an alum-to-student mentoring program, and a lecture and exhibition series that influences the larger discussion in the city about interior design. Our students are involved in show houses and benefits such as the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, Housing Works’ Design on a Dime, and Nantucket by Design.

“Across the board my instructors were engaging, committed, and intellectually challenging.... [t]he individualized feedback I received provided incredible opportunities for growth. I entered the design world with a foundation that has served me well throughout my entire career.“

Robert Kaner ’02 (AAS) Principal and Owner

Robert Kaner Interior Design

“The NYSID brand, which includes excellence in education, student and alumni support, and the high success rate of students and graduates working and achieving success in the interior design profession, has provided me and continues to provide a sense of pride in having graduated from such a renowned institution.“

Jennifer Graham, FIIDA, LEED AP ’85 (BFA) Managing Principal Perkins&Will

“NYSID instilled in me a deep respect for how design impacts human well-being, from accessibility to sustainability. ... Today, I oversee millions of square feet of research, clinical, and educational space in a major academic medical institution and apply these principles to align space management with operational efficiency and patient-centered care.“

Tania Medina ‘14 (BFA) Space Planner Weill Cornell Medicine Capital Planning

“NYSID’s reputation gave my portfolio weight and opened real doors. The school’s student-led groups and industry connections helped me land early roles that aligned with my creative path— including my current position.”

Antonio Harris ‘23

(MFA1) Design Strategist + Project Manager LAB at Rockwell Group

Accreditation

A single-discipline college founded in 1916, New York School of Interior Design has often been a standard bearer for the profession, pushing interior design education forward. NYSID is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The BFA and the MFA1 professional programs are accredited by the Council of Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). Accreditation is an intense process that requires an academic institution to conduct a self-study and undergo independent, objective appraisal of its educational quality and institutional stability and integrity.

The benefit of a CIDA-accredited, professional-level program is the assurance that the education is of the highest caliber, and that it gives students the foundation to sit for the NCIDQ exam, one of the most powerful credentials an interior designer can earn. NYSID rigorously prepares designers for an evolving field and sets them on a path to obtain professional credentials.

NYSID Students’ Path to Professional Interior Design Credentials in New York

In New York State, becoming a Certified Interior Designer (CID) requires more than creativity, it demands a strong education, hands-on experience, and professional certification. NYSID’s rigorous curriculum is built to guide students through each step: from foundational training, to passing the NCIDQ exam, to meeting the state requirements for licensure. The graphic shows how your education at NYSID can lead to professional recognition and the legal right to use the CID title in New York.

How to apply

Here’s what you need to apply to a program.

Application

Application fee

Statement of intent

Two letters of recommendation

Official transcripts (evaluation may be required if you studied outside the U.S.)

Résumé (graduate programs only)

Portfolio (optional for BID and MFA1 programs)

Proof of English proficiency (if your native language is not English)

Learn more and apply at nysid.edu.

Recommended application deadlines

October 1 for the spring semester

February 1 for the fall semester

The Office of Admissions welcomes questions at 212-472-1500 ext 205 or admissions@nysid.edu

Tuition

Visit nysid.edu/tuition-fees for specific and up-to-date information on tuition.

Financial Aid

U.S. citizens and permanent residents who are matriculated and in good academic standing are eligible to apply for Federal Student Aid by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal aid opportunities from the federal government. Visit nysid.edu/financialaid for more information.

Scholarships

“The major reason I went to NYSID is because they had such strength in residential design and an unparalleled foundational education in decorative arts, art history, and historical styles.”

KIKI DENNIS ‘00 (AAS) PARTNER & INTERIOR DESIGN LEAD TENBERKE ARCHITECTS

All students admitted to a program are eligible to apply for institutional aid. A student will have access to the scholarship application upon acceptance. The deadline for first-round scholarship consideration is February 1 for fall and November 1 for spring. Scholarships are awarded based on merit. To be considered, applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA. Visit nysid.edu/financial-aid for more information.

Housing

The College offers student housing through independent student housing organizations. Several NYC colleges have students residing in these facilities, which strive to provide safe and secure living environments for all student residents. Find additional information at nysid.edu/housing