The emphasis on studio work in grad programs is a result of student demand for a career-change degree without doing a 2nd bachelors. Many engineers, architects, artists and business majors never find out about ID till they get out into the real world. And because of their backgrounds, believe a Masters counts for more and will make it easier to get started.
It doesn’t and it’s not. But that dosn’t stop them from applying for, and schools accomodating them.
Be carefull of these programs since they may not offer the advanced rescources needed to get you into a tenure track position.