Academic Programs Catalog

College of Agriculture and Natural Resources

School of Planning, Design and Construction

Undergraduate Programs
Interior Design

The Interior Design program is designed to prepare students for professional careers in interior design or for professional masters programs. The program provides students an opportunity to develop knowledge, skills, and insights needed to solve design problems creatively and effectively. Interior Design students will obtain fundamental and in-depth design knowledge, basic and advanced design skills, critical thinking strategies for evidence-based design solutions, and skills necessary for real-world practice and research. The curriculum enables the student to design and present solutions that support physical, psychological, social, and behavioral needs of all users and enhance health and well-being. 

The Interior Design Program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). The program meets the educational requirements for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). 

Admission

The number of students admitted to the major in interior design is limited. To be considered for admission, a student must have:

  1. Completed at least 28 credits.
  2. An all–university grade–point average of 2.50 or better.
  3. A grade–point average of 3.00 or better in the following courses: Interior Design 140, 142, 150, 152, and 240. Those courses are referenced in item 3. a. below in the Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design.

In addition, transfer students must have previous design work evaluated by the department prior to placements in required courses.

Selective admissions are made at the end of spring semester for Michigan State University and transfer students from those students who have met the criteria referenced. The final selection of students to be admitted to the major is based on the cumulative grade–point average of all courses taken and a grade–point average calculated for selected courses and portfolio review by faculty members.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Interior Design

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Interior Design.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Interior Design major is met by completing Interior Design 442.  This course is referenced in item 3. a. below.

    The completion of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources mathematics requirement may also satisfy the University mathematics requirement.
  2. The completion of the requirements of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
    a. All of the following courses (57 credits):
    IDES 140 Design for Living 3
    IDES 142 Design Theory Studio 3
    IDES 150 Interior Design Drafting 3
    IDES 152 Interior Environments 3
    IDES 240 Computer–Aided Design for Designers 3
    IDES 250 3D Modeling and Visualization 3
    IDES 252 Interior Design Synthesis I 4
    IDES 340 Interior Design Specifications and Workroom Practices 3
    IDES 342 Interior Design:  Human Dimensions 3
    IDES 343 Interior Design Presentation and Media 3
    IDES 344 History of Interior Design: Ancient Through Rococo 3
    IDES 350 Interior Design Lighting and Environmental Systems 3
    IDES 352 Interior Design Synthesis II 4
    IDES 354 History of Interior Design:  Neo–Classical Through Modern 3
    IDES 393 Introduction to Professional Practice 1
    IDES 440 Contemporary Design Issues 2
    IDES 441 Interior Design Open Office Systems 1
    IDES 442 Interior Design Programming (W) 3
    IDES 451 Interior Design Professional Practice 2
    IDES 452 Interior Design Synthesis III 4
    b. Any two of the following History of Art options (6 to 9 credits):
    (1) Any History of Art course (3 or 4 credits).
    (2) Any History of Art course (3 or 4 credits).
    (3) IDES 490 Independent Study (3 to 5 credits) earned through the Interior Design Education Abroad program.
    (4) IDES 456 Historic Preservation and Sustainability (3 credits).