Interior Design, B.F.A.

About the Program

Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) Accredited

Professional Licensure: This program leads to a recommendation for NYS certification; please check for certification requirements in all other states.

The Interior Design B.F.A. degree offers students a specialized studio-oriented education in preparation for advanced or graduate studies, or for beginning careers as professional interior designers. Students gain a thorough knowledge of design processes and technical skills, including computer-aided design and traditional drafting and rendering. Construction methods, lighting design, materials specification, and color use are emphasized to support specializations within the major. Studios offer design exploration in spatial experimentation, residential design, retail design, public buildings, office planning, and industry standards for sustainable design principles, and culminates in the Undergraduate Thesis Project.

Interior design graduates are prepared for careers in independent practice and employment in interior design and architectural firms, institutions, corporations, and other settings. Following completion of this program, plus two years interior design work experience, students are eligible to apply and sit for the professional, nationally recognized NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) licensing exam. They may then apply for a "Certified Interior Designer" designation and the right to practice in New York State.

The Interior Design Department is committed to the intellectual, personal, and professional growth of the students. Through varied and increasingly complex coursework, coupled with a strong community-based project component, the students and faculty have and will continue to enhance the region in terms of residential, health care, and commercial designs, as well as culturally sensitive and public-interest projects. These projects connect the students, faculty, and community in a dynamic relationship, inspire students to expand their horizons, and create life-long learners. The program is rigorous and comprehensive, resulting in professional and innovative designers actively sought after by regional and national employers.