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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 About the Bachelor's Degree in Interior Design 

The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)— accredited Interior Design Program at Kent State University 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 Kent State University 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.

Interior Design students may apply early to the Master of Healthcare Design degree and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program policy 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 Non-Degree General major: Students who do not qualify for admission to the Interior Design major may qualify for admissions to the college's non-degree General major. Students in the General major are assigned to freshman orientation classes with all College of Architecture and Environmental Design majors. These classes aid in understanding the broad range of career options within the environmental design professions. Students should take regular coursework in preparation to attempt entry into one of the College of Architecture and Environmental Design majors or may consider alternative degree program options. Students should meet with their advisors to aid in making decisions regarding their degree program and major. In order to move forward with a minimum loss of credit hours, students are strongly recommended to choose an alternate degree program within or outside the college prior to completing 45 credit hours.

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 English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning a minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 47 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive English Program. For more information on international admission 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
College of Architecture and Environmental Design Electives, choose from the following:6
Any Architectural Studies (ARCS) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Any Architecture (ARCH) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Any Architecture and Environmental Design (AED) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Any Construction Management (CMGT) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Any Interior Design (ID) Upper-Division course (30000 or 40000 level)
Business Elective, choose from the following:3
Any Accounting (ACCT) course
Any Business (BUS) course
Any Computer Information Systems (CIS) course
Any Economics (ECON) course
Any Entrepreneurship (ENTR) course
Any Finance (FIN) course
Any Human Resource Management (HRM) course
Any Management (MGMT) course
Any Management and Information Systems (MIS) course
Any Managerial Marketing (MMTG) course
Any Marketing (MKTG) course
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 (DIVD) (KSS) 3
or SOC 12050 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS)
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Humanities3
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines)3
Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include one laboratory)6-7
Kent Core Additional3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:123
1

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

Progression Requirements

  • A minimum 2.500 overall GPA is required for advancement to the second year.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.500 2.000
Roadmap

Roadmap

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, 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 (DIVD) (KSS)
or INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (DIVD) (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
Kent Core 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
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 Kent State 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 Kent State University 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

2.6%

slower than the average

198,100

number of jobs

$149,530

potential earnings

Commercial and industrial designers

-3.5%

decline

42,200

number of jobs

$71,640

potential earnings

Designers, all other

-1.9%

decline

13,600

number of jobs

$63,750

potential earnings

Interior designers

-4.9%

decline

77,900

number of jobs

$57,060

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. 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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