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Interior Design - B.A.

The Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design combines art, technology and business to prepare you for a career in this exciting and ever-evolving field. With a curriculum that emphasizes design thinking, sustainability and user-centered design, you'll gain the skills needed to create functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces. Enroll now and take the first step towards a career that combines creativity and practicality.

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More 51±¬ÁÏ the Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design 

The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)— accredited Interior Design Program at 51±¬ÁÏ is dedicated to the understanding, development and improvement of the physical environment and the protection of the public.

A multidisciplinary approach to the design education of the individual is promoted to establish an understanding of the human experience in the environment. The program fosters intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and professional responsibility within a diverse and collegial community of faculty and students. The 51±¬ÁÏ interiors curriculum has been developed to promote excellence through rigor of academics and to challenge the student body to explore, examine, deliberate and solve those situations that affect the individual and the environment in both physical, social and psychological manners.

Program Information for Interior Design - B.A.

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Interior Design seeks to exemplify design excellence, make interior spaces for human well-being and continually expand the reputation and rigor of the program. The program educates highly skilled and empathetic interior designers through a diverse curriculum that emphasizes research, creativity, professionalism and leadership in an era of social and technological change. Competencies achieved in the program include fundamental design skills tempered with the application of research and creative inquiry; knowledge of materials, methods and systems; space planning and programming; professional practice knowledge and critical thinking; gaining experiences through a guided internship; inquiry into human factors in design; and the comprehensive designing of interior spaces with vigilance toward the health, safety and welfare of the public.

The college offers a semester abroad for qualified third-year students in the Interior Design major. The study abroad program is housed in the heart of historic Florence, Italy and Paris, France. The program is open to all students who have made satisfactory progress toward completion of their undergraduate program.

The Interior Design major includes the following optional concentration:

  • The Interior Design Foundations concentration provides a pathway for students who do not meet the GPA requirement for the Interior Design major. Students complete additional foundation design coursework and meet additional criteria to progress within the program.

Interior Design students may apply early to the and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the in the University Catalog for more information.

Admissions for Interior Design - B.A.

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

Freshman Students: Admission to the Interior Design major is selective and based on a holistic review process. Prospective applicants must have a minimum 2.750 unweighted overall grade point average (on a 4.000-scale) to be considered for a holistic review and potential admission into the Interior Design program.

Admission to the Interior Design Foundations concentration: Students who do not have a minimum 2.750 unweighted overall grade point average (on a 4.000-scale) may qualify for admission to the Interior Design Foundations concentration. Students admitted to the Interior Design Foundations concentration complete additional foundation design coursework and, after the first two semesters, are required to meet additional criteria to progress within the program. In addition, students are required to complete coursework during the summer term prior to entering their second year.

Transfer, Transitioning and Former Students: For more information about admission criteria for transfer, transitioning and former students, please visit the admissions website.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of proficiency of the English language (unless they meet specific exceptions) through the submission of an English language proficiency test score or by completing English language classes at 51±¬ÁÏ’s English as a Second Language Center before entering their program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Understand the foundations of the interior design discipline: history, theories of design, technical knowledge, human factors, human sciences, design thinking and professional practices.
  2. Understand the complex relationships between design practice, materials, technology, sustainability and social issues in the built environment.
  3. Conduct and apply technical, historical, material and cultural research, using quantitative and qualitative methods to design projects.
  4. Understand how a variety of building materials, finishes and systems are used, assembled and interconnected in construction.
  5. Skillfully manipulate two- and three-dimensional representational techniques using a wide range of media.
  6. Demonstrate effective visual, verbal and written communication skills.
  7. Contribute effectively to multidisciplinary, diverse teams prepared to practice in complex, multicultural global contexts.
  8. Create interior spaces at varying scales, in various contexts and for varying purposes, using research, critical thinking, analysis and problem solving, which respond to user needs and promote human well-being.
  9. Create interior spaces that conform with required codes, standards and regulations to protect the life, safety, health and wellness of the building occupants.
  10. Develop an ethical bearing that addresses sustainability, social justice, leadership, responsibility to clients and society and respect for difference and equity.

Coursework

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Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
AED 10101DESIGN FOUNDATIONS STUDIO I (min C grade)3
ARCH 10011GLOBAL ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY I (KFA) 3
ARTH 22007ART HISTORY: RENAISSANCE TO MODERN ART (KFA) 3
ID 10112INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO I 4
ID 10601REPRESENTATION AND VISUALIZATION I 2
ID 14011INTRODUCTION TO INTERIOR DESIGN (min C grade)1
ID 20012GLOBAL HISTORY OF INTERIORS 3
ID 20221INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO II 5
ID 20232INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO III 5
ID 20401INTERIOR DESIGN METHODS AND MATERIALS I: INTERIOR MATERIALS 3
ID 20402INTERIOR DESIGN METHODS AND MATERIALS II: BUILDING SYSTEMS AND CODES 3
ID 20602REPRESENTATION AND VISUALIZATION II 2
ID 30321INTERIOR DESIGN THEORY 3
ID 30331DESIGN WRITING FOR INTERIORS (WIC) (min C grade) 11
ID 30341INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO IV 5
ID 30352INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO V 5
ID 30391VARIABLE CONTENT SEMINAR IN INTERIOR DESIGN 3
ID 30403INTERIOR DESIGN METHODS AND MATERIALS III: LIGHTING AND ACOUSTICS 3
ID 30501PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES I 3
ID 30603REPRESENTATION AND VISUALIZATION III 2
ID 40311CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND RESEARCH 3
ID 40404INTERIOR DESIGN METHODS AND MATERIALS IV: ADVANCED MATERIALS AND ASSEMBLIES 3
ID 40461INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO VI 5
ID 40472INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO VII 5
ID 40502PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES II 3
ID 44592PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DESIGN INTERNSHIP (ELR) (min C grade)2
Business Elective, choose from the following:3
College of Architecture and Environmental Design Electives, choose from the following:6
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
COMM 15000INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) 3
MATH 11010ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) 3
PSYC 11762GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (KSS) 3
or SOC 12050 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (KSS)
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
23
6
20-3
20-3
6-7
Additional Requirements or Concentration
Choose from the following:3
Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration
Interior Design Foundations Concentration
Minimum Total Credit Hours:123
1

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

2

If students complete the American Civic Literacy requirement by taking HIST 12061, the course will apply to the Kent Core Humanities category. If they complete it with POL 10101, the course will apply to the Kent Core Social Sciences category.

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration

Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:3

Interior Design Foundations Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
ARCH 10001UNDERSTANDING ARCHITECTURE (KFA) 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:3

Progression Requirements

Progression Requirements for All Students in the Interior Design Major

  • All students in the Interior Design major must earn a minimum 2.500 overall GPA for advancement to the second year.

Progression Requirements for Interior Design Foundations Concentration

Students in the Interior Design Foundations concentration must complete one of the following:

  • Minimum 2.750 average GPA in the following courses:
    • AED 10101
    • ARCH 10001
    • ARTH 22007
    • COMM 15000
    • ID 14011
    • PSYC 11762 or SOC 12050
  • Special approval by program director through portfolio review

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.500 2.000
Roadmaps

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Roadmaps

Interior Design Major (No Concentration)

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
!AED 10101 DESIGN FOUNDATIONS STUDIO I 3
ARTH 22007 ART HISTORY: RENAISSANCE TO MODERN ART (KFA) 3
!ID 14011 INTRODUCTION TO INTERIOR DESIGN 1
MATH 11010 ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) 3
PSYC 11762
or SOC 12050
 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (KSS)
or INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (KSS)
3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
 Credit Hours14
Semester Two
COMM 15000 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) 3
ID 10112 INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO I 4
ID 10601 REPRESENTATION AND VISUALIZATION I 2
American Civic Literacy Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Three
Minimum 2.500 overall GPA is required for advancement to second year  
ARCH 10011 GLOBAL ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY I (KFA) 3
ID 20221 INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO II 5
ID 20401 INTERIOR DESIGN METHODS AND MATERIALS I: INTERIOR MATERIALS 3
ID 20602 REPRESENTATION AND VISUALIZATION II 2
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Four
ID 20012 GLOBAL HISTORY OF INTERIORS 3
ID 20232 INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO III 5
ID 20402 INTERIOR DESIGN METHODS AND MATERIALS II: BUILDING SYSTEMS AND CODES 3
ID 30331 DESIGN WRITING FOR INTERIORS (WIC) 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Five
Kent Core Composition courses (6 credit hours) must be completed  
ID 30321 INTERIOR DESIGN THEORY 3
ID 30341 INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO IV 5
ID 30403 INTERIOR DESIGN METHODS AND MATERIALS III: LIGHTING AND ACOUSTICS 3
ID 30603 REPRESENTATION AND VISUALIZATION III 2
College of Architecture and Environmental Design Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Six
ID 30352 INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO V 5
ID 30391 VARIABLE CONTENT SEMINAR IN INTERIOR DESIGN 3
ID 30501 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES I 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Third Summer Term
ID 44592 PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DESIGN INTERNSHIP (ELR) 2
 Credit Hours2
Semester Seven
ID 40311 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND RESEARCH 3
ID 40404 INTERIOR DESIGN METHODS AND MATERIALS IV: ADVANCED MATERIALS AND ASSEMBLIES 3
ID 40461 INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO VI 5
College of Architecture and Environmental Design Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours17
Semester Eight
ID 40472 INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO VII 5
ID 40502 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES II 3
Business Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:123

Interior Design Foundations Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
ARCH 10001 UNDERSTANDING ARCHITECTURE (KFA) 3
ARTH 22007 ART HISTORY: RENAISSANCE TO MODERN ART (KFA) 3
!ID 14011 INTRODUCTION TO INTERIOR DESIGN 1
MATH 11010 ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) 3
PSYC 11762
or SOC 12050
 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (KSS)
or INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (KSS)
3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
 Credit Hours14
Semester Two
!AED 10101 DESIGN FOUNDATIONS STUDIO I 3
COMM 15000 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN COMMUNICATION (KADL) 3
American Civic Literacy Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours12
First Summer Term
ID 10112 INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO I 4
ID 10601 REPRESENTATION AND VISUALIZATION I 2
 Credit Hours6
Semester Three
Minimum 2.500 overall GPA is required for advancement to second year  
ARCH 10011 GLOBAL ARCHITECTURAL HISTORY I (KFA) 3
ID 20221 INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO II 5
ID 20401 INTERIOR DESIGN METHODS AND MATERIALS I: INTERIOR MATERIALS 3
ID 20602 REPRESENTATION AND VISUALIZATION II 2
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Four
ID 20012 GLOBAL HISTORY OF INTERIORS 3
ID 20232 INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO III 5
ID 20402 INTERIOR DESIGN METHODS AND MATERIALS II: BUILDING SYSTEMS AND CODES 3
ID 30331 DESIGN WRITING FOR INTERIORS (WIC) 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Five
Kent Core Composition courses (6 credit hours) must be completed  
ID 30321 INTERIOR DESIGN THEORY 3
ID 30341 INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO IV 5
ID 30403 INTERIOR DESIGN METHODS AND MATERIALS III: LIGHTING AND ACOUSTICS 3
ID 30603 REPRESENTATION AND VISUALIZATION III 2
Business Elective 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Six
ID 30352 INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO V 5
ID 30391 VARIABLE CONTENT SEMINAR IN INTERIOR DESIGN 3
ID 30501 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES I 3
College of Architecture and Environmental Design Elective 3
 Credit Hours14
Third Summer Term
ID 44592 PROFESSIONAL INTERIOR DESIGN INTERNSHIP (ELR) 2
 Credit Hours2
Semester Seven
ID 40311 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AND RESEARCH 3
ID 40404 INTERIOR DESIGN METHODS AND MATERIALS IV: ADVANCED MATERIALS AND ASSEMBLIES 3
ID 40461 INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO VI 5
College of Architecture and Environmental Design Elective 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Eight
ID 40472 INTERIOR DESIGN STUDIO VII 5
ID 40502 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICES II 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:123

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Accreditation for Interior Design - B.A.

The B.A. degree in Interior Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, for advanced study and to apply to membership in professional interior design organizations. The program meets the educational requirements for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam).

Program Layout

FIRST YEAR

The first year focuses on laying a foundation for understanding design in its many formats while providing the liberal education required of a university education. The College of Architecture and Environmental Design and interior design courses taken during the freshman year provide a broad introduction to design culture and introduce the organizational principles and tools needed by designers to interpret and shape the built environment.

SECOND YEAR

The second year provides interior design students an understanding of the relationship of the human to the spaces they inhabit. Technical skills are interwoven into the design process that encompasses an understanding of design in a historical and contemporary context. These concepts are balanced with the basic knowledge and guidelines that the profession uses to shape interior spaces. An awareness of materiality, sustainability and computer imaging completes the education during this year.

THIRD YEAR

The third year of the program is dedicated to furthering the student’s knowledge of building and design materials and the professional documentation used in design practice. A major focus of the year is to inform the student of the relationship of design and research. The year also serves to prepare the student for the required internship, which can be taken during the summer session between the third and fourth years. The opportunity to spend a semester abroad is woven into the curriculum so that students can take advantage of a global experience (see below).

FOURTH YEAR

The final year of the program culminates with two studios directed toward professional-level work. The last studio in the program sequence is focused on community engagement and design. Current issues that impact and shape the profession are addressed. The internship may also be taken during this year, if not completed during the previous summer.

Graduation Outcomes

Learn more about retention, graduation rates, job placements and acceptance into graduate programs.

Objectives and Values

To support this mission the 51±¬ÁÏ Interior Design Program seeks to promote the following objectives and values:

  • Recognize its accountability to the global impact of the resources, and social and cultural systems that are used in the profession.
  • Actively fosters new ideas and collaboration with other disciplines in the college, university, state and country.
  • Strive to encourage an open dialogue of ideas, critiques and diversity of views in the educational process.
  • Support 51±¬ÁÏ and the College of Architecture and Environmental Design missions.
  • The Interior Design Program combines the resources of strong and well-established programs in the university including the Architecture, Construction Management, the School of Visual Communication and Design, and the College of Business. The undergraduate program leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree in a CIDA-accredited first professional degree program.

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Interior Design - B.A.

Architectural and engineering managers

3.8%

about as fast as the average

212,500

number of jobs

$167,740

potential earnings

Commercial and industrial designers

3.2%

about as fast as the average

30,600

number of jobs

$79,450

potential earnings

Designers, all other

2.0%

slower than the average

28,600

number of jobs

$66,220

potential earnings

Interior designers

3.2%

about as fast as the average

87,100

number of jobs

$63,490

potential earnings

Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products

0.3%

little or no change

1,310,500

number of jobs

$66,780

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' . Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

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