Interior Design
On this page:
Associate in Arts Degree Interior Design
Brief Description
This three-year program offers a broadly based, professionally relevant curriculum which is designed to prepared students to successfully compete for jobs and function as professional interior designers. The curriculum challenges students to achieve excellence and is balanced with academic, technical, and practical instruction taught by professionally active faculty. In addition, two internships that provide current work experience in the field are required.
The courses outlined define the complete list of required courses for the degree. Students are encouraged to develop a long-range plan that takes into account a personal timetable, work, family, and other commitments; many students take longer than three years to complete the program. Electives must include exposure to college-level courses in the humanities, social sciences, math/science, and business.
Note: Students must earn a C- or better in Interior Design core courses, except those designated as pass/fail [courses designated with an asterisk (*)]. A department advisor may review and approve transfer credits from other institutions to satisfy degree requirements.
Learning Outcomes
Degree recipients should possess the skills and abilities described below:
- Exhibit the attitudes, traits, and values of professional responsibility, accountability, and effectiveness within the context of interior design process and practice
- Apply knowledge of history in art, architecture, interiors and furniture, to contemporary design problems
- Think creatively, critically, analytically and strategically
- Apply the design process to interior design problems
- Apply design fundamentals, theories and concepts to interior design problems
- Produce competent contract documents including coordinated drawings, schedules and specifications
- Apply knowledge of interior finishes and materials and their appropriate selection, specification, installation and maintenance to interior designs
- Understand the concepts, principles, and theories of sustainability as they pertain to building methods, materials, systems and occupants
- Appropriately apply the laws, codes, regulations, standards and practices that protect the health, welfare and safety of the public to interior designs
- Manage interior design projects using appropriate business processes
- Use interpersonal skills in order to work effectively with people
- Communicate information, both oral and written, in clear, concise language
- Use presentation skills, including drawing, sketching, lettering, perspective, rendering, and model building, using appropriate media, colors and techniques
- Compete successfully for entry level interior design positions
Completion Worksheet
Download the completion worksheet for this degree (PDF)
Requirements
| Course No. | Course Name | Credit Hrs. |
|---|---|---|
| ART 101 | Modern Architecture & Design | 5 |
| ART 108 | Introduction to Hand & Power Tools | 2 |
| ART 110 | Two-Dimensional Design | 5 |
| ART 111 | Design Color | 5 |
| ART 112 | Three-Dimensional Design | 5 |
| ART 120 | Drawing I | 5 |
| INDES 140 | Introduction to Interior Design | 5 |
| INDES 142 | Textiles, Interior Materials & Sources | 5 |
| INDES 150 | History of Furniture | 5 |
| INDES 151 | Modern Furniture & Design | 5 |
| INDES 152 | Furniture Design & Construction | 3 |
| INDES 160 | Graphic Communication I | 5 |
| INDES 162 | Introduction to Computer-Aided Design | 5 |
| INDES 165 | Visual Presentations | 5 |
| INDES 170 | Interior Design I: Methods | 5 |
| INDES 180 | Professional Practices I | 5 |
| INDES 181 | Professional Practices II | 3 |
| *INDES 185 | Practicum in Interior Design I (150 hours) | 3 |
| INDES 190 | Building Systems & Codes | 5 |
| INDES 191 | Principles of Lighting | 5 |
| INDES 260 | Graphic Communication II | 5 |
| Choose 2 credits from the following: | 2 | |
| *INDES 167 | Digital Design Tools (2 Cr) | |
| *INDES 261 | Design Detailing (2 Cr) | |
| *Any Special Topic course (2 Cr) | ||
| INDES 270 | Interior Design II | 5 |
| INDES 271 | Interior Design III | 5 |
| INDES 272 | Interior Design IV | 5 |
| *INDES 285 | Practicum in Interior Design II (150 hours) | 3 |
| Total | 116 | |
| Specific General Education Requirements | ||
| Choose 5 credits from the following: | 5 | |
| ART 201 | History of Western Art (5 Cr) | |
| ART 202 | History of Western Art (5 Cr) | |
| ART 203 | History of Western Art | 5 |
| Liberal Arts/General Education Requirements |
35 | |
| Please see an advisor for a list of Liberal Arts/General Education distribution courses. Students transferring with a degree may have up to 35 general education credits waived. | ||
| TOTAL | 45 | |
| GRAND TOTAL | 161 | |
Certificate of Completion Green Sustainable Design
Brief Description
Green Sustainable Design focuses on both commercial and residential interior architectural spaces. Students study Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Commercial Interiors (LEED-CI), LEED for Homes and the local Built-Green rating systems. Includes presentation of case studies representing best practices in sustainable design of interiors for discussion. Students research precedent studies, examining built projects and evaluating the success according to sustainable theories, applications and life-cycle assessments. Students study and prepare to take the LEED Accredited Professional exam at a third party testing site.
Learning Outcomes
Certificate recipients should possess the skills and abilities described below:
- Select appropriately sustainable materials and products based on their life-cycle properties and performance criteria
- Apply knowledge of sustainable sources, installation methods, and material maintenance for sustainable materials and products to design of interiors
- Apply the concept of sustainable building methods and materials to design of interiors •
- Use Ecological Footprint and other indicators of human use of energy and other resources in designing interiors
- Understand the LEED Building Rating System, the appropriate application of LEED-CI rating standards for interior materials, and the LEED rating system within the context of professional practice, project types and applications
Completion Worksheet
Download the completion worksheet for this certificate (PDF)
Requirements
| Course No. | Course Name | Credit Hrs. |
|---|---|---|
| INDES 145 | Introduction to Sustainable Design | 5 |
| INDES 146 | Practical Applications of Sustainable Design | 5 |
| INDES 147 | Healthy Sustainable Interiors | 5 |
| Total | 15 |
Professional or technical program offerings and course requirements listed in this website may be altered by the college to reflect the needs of industry, student interests and availability of resources.