Interior Architecture and Design

The Interior Architecture and Design program at Utah State University is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), the first in the state to gain this recognition, and has a solid reputation for winning national and international design competitions. The program is ranked 8th in the country for Interior Design Education.

Our faculty are experts at preparing interior designers for professional success. Students are provided with numerous experiences to help them acquire and hone their design skills, and each year we bring internationally renowned designers and architects to campus to work with our students. National and international study experiences to significant design venues and historical sites are also provided. Students are active in professional associations including ASID, IIDA, and USGBC. 

In this highly competitive technical program students must pass a first-year portfolio review to gain admission and complete a second-year review to continue in the program. A minimum six-week internship is required during the summer of the third year, and students have the opportunity to pass the LEED Green Associate exam, before graduating with a Bachelor of Interior Design degree. Students may also desire continue their studies in architecture and apply for a graduate program that best fits their goals. Our graduates enter the job market with real-world experience, go on to successful careers, and become leaders in the design profession.

Celebrating 20 Years of Collaboration

Statement of Accredited Status

The Interior Architecture and Design program leading to the Bachelor of Interior Design degree is accredited by:

Council for Interior Design Accreditation
206 Grandville Avenue, Suite 350
Grand Rapids, MI, 49503

Utah State's Interior Architecture and Design Program celebrates over 30 years of being a CIDA-accredited program that prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations. The Bachelor of Interior Design degree granted by Utah State University meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam).  It also prepares students for post-graduate degrees in Architecture. This degree program does not prepare students to sit for the (ARE) Architectural Registration Exam.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Interior Architecture and Design Program at Utah State University is to nurture students as they become leaders in design. This is accomplished through a balanced curriculum that provides students with a foundation in both theory and practical knowledge. As educators comprised of interior designers, a graphic designer, and an architect and will:

• Impact and improve the human experience in the built environment.
• Challenge students to think beyond their current mindset and foster innovation.
• Support students as they seek to excel, both academically and personally.
• Be prepared to work with other disciplines and specialists in a positive collaborative environment.
• Provide exposure to the world of design outside the region, both nationally and internationally.
• Foster Inclusive Excellence.
• Emphasize design for the sustainability of society, the environment, and human well-being.
• Prepare students for graduate work and a career at the top levels of the profession.
• Inspire students to use their talents and skills to make a difference in the communities in which they live and work.

We expect our graduates to make significant contributions to the world as designers by impacting their communities and the profession through service and leadership, and by striving to change the world around them. We are leaders in design.

Helpful Information

First Year Review

All first-year students considering the Interior Architecture & Design Program must enroll in IAD 2780 and participate in the First-Year Review Fall semester. The review assesses basic skills and creativity and will consist of portfolio work from IAD 2780 and the completion of additional projects. Only students who successfully pass the first-year review and meet or exceed GPA and grade requirements can register for second-year courses. The requirements for the First-Year review will be posted at the beginning of Fall Semester.

Information, including successful portfolios and acceptance rates.

Entrance into the Interior Architecture & Design Program

Students interested in becoming a major in Interior Architecture and Design must successfully submit a portfolio for the annual first-year review and must maintain a minimum overall GPA requirement of 2.75. The program invites approximately 20-24 students to advance onto the second year making this a very competitive major. The Bachelor of Interior Architecture and Design (BIAD) is a professional degree, and the expectations of the faculty are very high.

Foundations Year

Required foundation courses:

• ART 1020: Drawing I, Fall or Spring
• ART 1130: Three-Dimensional Design, Fall or Spring
• ARTH 2710: Survey of Western Art-Prehistoric to Medieval (Fall Only)
• IAD 2780: History of Architecture, Interiors, And Furniture (Fall Only)
• ARTH 2720: Survey of Western Art-Renaissance to Post-Modern (Spring Only)
• IAD 1700: Interior Architecture & Design Seminar, Fall & Spring
• ART 3710: Fine Art Seminar, Fall & Spring

Students that are invited to advance to the second year must sign a contract that they agree to the expectations of the program. If grades are below department standards in the foundation courses students are automatically on probation until the courses are retaken and the grade is raised to department/program standards.

Taking a Leave of Absence

If a student takes a leave of absence after the first-year, they must pass the First-Year Review before they can apply to the program once they desire to enter the program.  If a student passes the First-Year Review and then takes a leave of absence, they must pass the First-Review when they return. The leave of absence often occurs when a student serves a mission.

Second-Year Review

At the end of the second-year students, submit a portfolio from the second-year courses for another review by the Interior Architecture & Design faculty. If a student does not meet the minimum grade requirements (B- or above), or if work does not meet the standards, students will not advance to the third year. Students that are invited to advance to the third year must sign another contract.

Interior Architecture & Design studio courses are time-intensive, both during and outside of scheduled class times, and students will be working on group and individual projects.

Student Agreement

• Students understand that failure to earn a minimum grade of B- or above in any Interior Architecture & Design course will result in dismissal from the program.
• Students understand that their attendance and participation in studios and all Interior Architecture & Design classes are not optional but mandatory. They also understand that time outside of class will be necessary to complete the required assignments.
• Students understand that they will need to purchase a laptop that meets the specifications required by the Interior Architecture & Design after being invited to advance to the second year.
• Students understand that the completion of required projects will involve the purchase of necessary computer software, art, and presentation supplies, as well as textbooks and reference materials.
  

Failure to meet expectations including any of the following: attendance, participation, completing assignments by specified deadlines, attitude, etc., may result in probation. Failure to improve within a semester may result in dismissal from the Interior Architecture and Design Program without the possibility of readmission.