Master of Furniture Design at Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester Institute of Technology

United States of America, Rochester

University Rank:#951

Rochester Institute of Technology offers the Master of Furniture Design as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its main campus in Rochester , United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 2 years, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for furniture design and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on September 2, 2027.

About Master of Furniture Design

The master's in furniture design is structured to support your individual interests and aesthetic development. While engaging in the design and construction of a range of furniture objects, you will be challenged to advance your aesthetic, conceptual, and design sensibilities while simultaneously strengthening your building techniques and construction strategies. You will be exposed to a broad range of contemporary practices and creative approaches to design and art-making in support of experimentation, critical reflection, and the development of your personal aesthetic and design philosophy.

RIT's Master's in Furniture Design

The first year of the furniture design degree exposes you to a broad range of critical issues related to the conception and production of art, serves to inspire and provoke your critical reflection, and facilitates the development of your preliminary thesis topic. You will spend ample time creating work, while you strengthen your woodworking techniques, design fundamentals, and your sense of personal creative expression. In the second year, you will continue to refine your work aesthetic as you propose and fully engage in a thesis project. You will work with RIT's gallery coordinators and curators to install and exhibit a final body of work.

Furniture Design Scholarship Available

The Beth and Ira Nash Endowed Scholarship is available to qualified applicants applying to the master's in furniture design. Learn more about the Beth and Ira Nash Endowed Scholarship, including application deadlines and how to apply.

Studio Residency Program

The School for American Crafts offers a Studio Residency Program for students in ceramics, furniture design, glass, and metals and jewelry design. Residence positions are limited and are awarded after the review of all applicants' portfolios, transcripts, and references. An interview is required. Accepted residents are required to register for one independent study credit during each semester of residence.

Accepted residents are expected to be present in their assigned studio during class hours and to contribute up to 10 hours of work per week in the main studio. These work hours are coordinated and overseen by the faculty in the resident's discipline. In exchange, the school will provide workspace, access to facilities, and supportive instruction. The resident is invited to participate in the full range of studio activities.

Participants may be those seeking additional studio experience prior to undergraduate or graduate study, early career professionals, or teachers on leave who wish to work again in an academic studio environment. The faculty in each discipline will make decisions concerning appropriate candidates.

Inquiries should be made to the Studio Residency Program, School for American Crafts, College of Art and Design, Rochester Institute of Technology, 73 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623-5603.

Students are also interested in: Fine Arts Studio MFA, Industrial Design MFA

A master's in furniture design that advances your personal aesthetic through the study of contemporary practices and critical reflection in furniture design.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Furniture Design at Rochester Institute of Technology

Entry Requirements

Transcript(s)

RIT requires transcripts from all colleges and universities that you have attended, including transcript grading keys.
International students should provide transcripts (or mark sheets) and degree certificates from all post-secondary institutions.

To submit your transcript(s) for application review:

Upload copies or official transcript(s) with the submission of your online application, or
Upload your transcript(s) through your admissions portal after you have submitted your application

Upon enrollment at RIT, you will need to contact your prior college or university and request that your official, final records be sent directly to RIT. Documents you upload are not considered official.

Degree Requirements

All applicants to RIT’s graduate programs must hold—or currently be completing—a four-year baccalaureate degree, or the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree, granted by an accredited college or university.

If you have not yet completed your undergraduate coursework, your admission will be contingent upon submission of your final transcript showing the degree granted and the date of the degree.

3-Year Degrees from International Universities
RIT will review applicants with 3-year degrees from international universities. Students with 3-year degrees from India must meet all of the following conditions:

The college or university is WHED recognized, and
The college or university is NAAC accredited with an "A" grade, and
You have passed in the 1st Class (or equivalent).

If you do not meet the above requirements, you may request a WES evaluation or you would need to complete (or be in the process of) postgraduate study.

If your 3-year undergraduate degree is currently in progress, you may be admitted contingent upon obtaining your degree in the 1st class or equivalent.

Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) from Nigeria or Ghana
RIT considers Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) from Nigeria or Ghana to be comparable to US bachelor’s degrees under the following conditions: the HND is a 2-year program that followed a 2-year National Diploma (ND) or Ordinary National Diploma (OND) program, for a total of at least 4 years of post-secondary study.

Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Upload a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) to your online application. Your resume or curriculum vitae (CV) should include details about your education, employment, and internship history. Pertinent research experience should be included as well.

English Requirements

PTEMin 60
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 88

Career Opportunities after Completing Master of Furniture Design

Typical Job Titles

Craft Artist	Sculptor
Furniture Designer	Designer

Salary and Career Information for Furniture Design MFA

Cooperative Education and Internships

What makes an RIT education exceptional? It's the ability to complete relevant, hands-on career experience. At the graduate level, and paired with an advanced degree, cooperative education and internships give you the unparalleled credentials that truly set you apart. Learn more about graduate co-op and how it provides you with the career experience employers look for in their next top hires.

Co-ops and internships take your knowledge and turn it into know-how. Your art and design co-ops provide hands-on experience that enables you to apply your artistic capabilities in dynamic professional settings while you make valuable connections between classwork and real-world applications.

Cooperative education, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities are strongly encouraged for graduate students in the MFA in fine arts studio.

Cooperative education, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities are optional but strongly encouraged for graduate students in the MFA in furniture design.

Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Furniture Design at Rochester Institute of Technology

Application Fee 65

How to Apply for Master of Furniture Design at Rochester Institute of Technology

Find your degree of choice and review the admission requirements.
Create an RIT admissions account to begin your application. All you need is your email, first and last name, and birthdate to get started.

Master of Furniture Design at Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester Institute of Technology

United States of America, Rochester