Interior Design
Learn to design interior environments that optimize performance, support humans, and inspire creativity.
Our program’s approach is built upon several historical firsts, from being one of the first group of five programs in the US to become accredited in 1972, to being one of the first group of eleven programs in the World to be awarded Zero Energy Design Designation (ZEDD) by the U.S. Department of Energy in 2022. That long history of being educational trailblazers continues through to today, with us at the forefront of teaching sustainability, design thinking, and advanced computing.
Here you’ll gain the interdisciplinary knowledge and skills to be creative and technical through interior design AND architecture – giving you a more well-rounded education, along with a deeper dive into digital media than most interior design programs.
This provides you with the knowledge, skills, and versatility to make a more meaningful impact on your future professional or academic teams, and influence the wellbeing of the people who live, work in, and use spaces around the world.
- CIDA-accredited degree
- Direct path to NCIDQ & licensure
- Eligible for the M.Arch 4+1 degree
- Evidence-Based Design
The Architectural Studies: Interior Design program has allowed me to meet the most inspiring professors who have helped me lay the foundation to becoming a good designer. The program is filled with opportunity, creativity, and lots of fun! Be it the people or the projects. It’s an environment where knowledge is always bouncing around the room, and I am so proud to have been a part and contributed to that room.
Retention Rate
87% of students admitted in the fall of 2023 returned in the fall of 2024.
Graduation Rate
72.5% of students admitted in the fall of 2019, graduating the spring of 2024.
Job Placement Rate
94.4% of students graduating in 2024 have a job in the industry.
Degrees Awarded
16 students received a degree with emphasis in Interior Design in 2023-2024.
CIDA-accredited degree
The interior design program leading to the B.S. in Architectural Studies with an Interior Design emphasis is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, 206 E Cesar E. Chavez Ave. Suite 350 Grand Rapids, MI 49503. The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, for advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations.
The B.S. in Architectural Studies with an Interior Design emphasis is granted by the College of Arts and Science at the University of Missouri and meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). For more information about NCIDQ Exam eligibility visit this website.
Curriculum
Core competencies of this program are to protect human health, safety, and welfare through the design of interior environments.
Application
Phase I
Building awareness
Students begin by learning abstraction, composition, and vocabulary. This approach exposes students to the basics of design thinking, history, and theory.
Following the 1st year, students must submit a portfolio of their work to continue into the professional phase of the program.
Students are becoming aware of:
- Ideation
- Inspiration
- Technical drawing
- Craftsmanship
- Story telling
Exploration
Phase II
Understanding realities
Students begin applying their developed skills and knowledge to real world conditions. Along with team members, they learn the working processes of defining scope, evidence-based design, and schematic design. This approach exposes students to the basics of professional practice, providing them with the time and knowledge to learn what they’re interested in and experiment before choosing a focus.
Students are exploring:
- Collaborating with team members
- Problem seeking
- Working with project constraints
- Prototyping
- Implementation
Focus
Phase III
Applying knowledge & skills
Students have chosen a path to influence an engaged audience. With an interior design emphasis, students learn how to zoom in to design comprehensive projects that strategically curates the experience of the interior environment of a building – through lighting, color, materials, and finishes. This approach exposes students to a human centered approach to design, with a focus on diversity and inclusion, by considering how the space is being used by all people. The learning experience continues outside the classroom, with participation in competitions and working on projects for Habitat for Humanity, along with other service learning opportunities.
Students are engaging in:
- Competitions
- Comprehensive projects
- Undergraduate research
- Service learning
Mastery
Phase IV
Integrating all aspects
Students continue to evolve their project processes into a realistic representation of the professional practice. They’re polishing their individual skills and gaining creative confidence in their own personal approach to the design process. At this stage, students learn how to pull it all together by applying all they’ve learned to this point by translating the creative design into ready to build construction documents and communicating the vision to those tasked with building it.
This approach exposes students to real constraints of a project – from budget to sourcing, while working through the final steps of the process for construction, documentation, and project delivery, including consideration of the rules, regulations, codes, and zoning of the municipality where the project is being built.
Students are mastering:
- Project parameters
- Sourcing
- Construction requirements
- Divergent and convergent thinking
- Community responsibility
- Efficient processes
- Communication
Careers
Graduate with confidence
Businesses and institutions actively recruit our students because they have more advanced experience and knowledge with digital media and sustainable design practices. They’re ready right from the start to make a more substantial impact on their professional and academic teams. That makes you more marketable.
Requirements
Admission into our professional studio sequence requires an application including:
- Portfolio of work
- Must include creative projects and technical drawing work.
- Attention to craftsmanship and detail is critical.
- Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.75
- Self Reflection
To continue progress towards the degree and ensure optimal performance, students have a Mandatory Portfolio Submission in May each year for review by faculty.