Texas Tech University

Department of Design

Accelerated Bachelor to Master of Science Degree in Environmental Design Degree Option (4+1)

Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Interior Design to Environmental Design Option

The Accelerated Bachelor to Master of Science Degree in Environmental Design Degree Program gives capable interior design or apparel design undergraduate students the opportunity to complete both bachelor and master's degrees in five years.

Qualifying students complete the graduate application process during their junior year when 90 credit hours have been completed with a 3.0 GPA (4-point scale) or higher. If accepted, students begin graduate work during their senior year to earn the undergraduate and graduate degrees. 

Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Who is the ideal candidate for the Master of Science in Environmental Design Program?

As the title indicates, this is an accelerated program. Students who are interested in a graduate program and ready to complete challenging course work at a rigorous pace are a great fit. Applicants must have earned at least a 3.0 GPA and 90 credits of coursework to be eligible to apply. This is an option for both undergraduate interior design and apparel design students.

2. What does the timeline look like?

Students should be able to finish the Accelerated Bachelor Degree to Master of Science Degree Program in five years. In order to do so in this timeframe, students must maintain full-time enrollment status including summer session courses after the fourth year. The Master of Science Degree program culminates with a final and comprehensive design project and report.

3. Who will advise me during this degree program?

Students continue to be advised by the College of Human Sciences Advising and Retention Office during their undergraduate course work and throughout the graduate application process. When students begin graduate classes during the fourth year, they also are advised by a graduate program faculty member in the Department of Design.

4. Is it too late for me to start if I am currently an undergraduate student? When can I start the application process?

Ideally, students should begin to consider this option during their freshman or sophomore years in order to plan accordingly for course loads during their junior and senior years. Applications for the accelerated program typically have a December 1 deadline and students must be admitted to the ENVD graduate program. A student can apply when he or she has successfully earned 90 credit hours with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Additional information may be requested by visiting http://www.depts.ttu.edu/hs/dod/environmentaldesign/.

5. What is the application and what are the requirements?

The GRE is not required for admission to this program. Students must submit a resume, letters of recommendation, and a portfolio as required as part of the application process. Students apply for through the standard TTU Graduate School admissions process. More information may be found at http://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/admissions/howtoapply.php.

6. What if my courses don't line up with the timeline?

COHS Advising and Retention will be able to provide guidance on the timeline and flexibility of undergraduate class sequence.

7. Will I participate in undergraduate commencement?

Yes. Students should have the appropriate number of hours to earn their Bachelor's degree at the end of the fourth year and may participate in the TTU Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony. In the fifth year upon successful completion of the Master of Science degree, students may participate in the TTU Graduate Commencement Ceremony.

8. What financial aid and/or scholarships are available?

Financial aid offerings are the same as those available for other undergraduate and graduate student programs. To earn financial aid, scholarships, or graduate assistantships, students are required to attend full time. The Graduate School and the Department of Design also have scholarship opportunities.

9. Will standard TTU undergraduate and graduate tuition and fees apply?

The Department of Design undergraduate and graduate student tuition and fee rates apply to this program. To learn more, please visit the TTU Student Business Services website at https://www.depts.ttu.edu/gradschool/financial/tuition.php and http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentbusinessservices/feeInfo/tuition-estimator.php.

10. What unique career paths or further studies will a Master of Science in Environmental Design allow me to pursue?

Many students with a Master's of Environmental Design continue their studies to pursue a doctoral degree, while others take leadership roles in the design industry. These roles may include working for research-based and product development enterprises. For interior designers, this may include the fields of healthcare, contract, or hospitality design. For apparel designers, it may include fashion-related careers in the apparel industry such as fit specialists. By earning the Master of Science you also qualify to teach at teaching institutions that may include community colleges and universities.

Department of Design