Why select a major in Interior Design?  

Have you ever wondered what it means to be an interior designer?

NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) defines the professional interior designer as "qualified by education, experience, and examination to enhance the function and quality of interior spaces for the purpose of improving the quality of life, increasing productivity, and protecting the health, safety and welfare of the public." Graduates from our C.I.D.A.* accredited interior design program are qualified for careers helping others improve interior environments while expressing their own creative abilities. The C.I.D.A. accredited program at Texas State University is where students gain skills and knowledge in ideation and concept development, sketching, drafting, space planning, stylistic history and design theory, materials and construction, life safety codes and business practices. Graduates are academically prepared to take the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) examination that must be passed to register as an interior designer in Texas and many other states.

*Council for Interior Design Accreditation, formerly F.I.D.E.R., Foundation for Interior Design Education Research, is the international accrediting agency for baccalaureate interior design programs.

Philosophy

The program exists to provide an educational experience that develops the ability to think critically, creatively, and ethically. It fosters an atmosphere of respect for the environment and all individuals towards bringing them to their fullest potential. It is dedicated to instilling character, integrity, compassion, diligence, and a lifelong pursuit of learning and professional excellence. 

Program Mission

• To prepare students to be responsible and competent entry-level interior design professionals.
• To provide students maximum opportunity for intellectual growth and creative expression.
• To instill in students an enduring respect for humanity and the environment.
• To imbue students with a sense of service and social obligation.
• To serve as a socially responsive educational resource for the larger community.

Educational Goals

The interior design program built its original educational goals upon the definition of the professional interior designer in conjunction with the CIDA Standards in order to achieve its mission.

• Educate toward understanding the physical, psychological and social nature of design users to assess and meet their needs, goals and health-safety requirements.
• Develop student facility in graphic, spatial, and technical thinking.
• Provide a foundation that combines both critical and integrative thinking and the design process with that of basic knowledge and cutting-edge innovation in design, science, and technology.
• Teach problem-solving skills and encourage creativity toward formulating design concepts that are humane, aesthetic and responsive to the design program.
• Equip students with a fluent visual and verbal vocabulary to effectively and efficiently communicate design  concepts and implementation to clients, colleagues and fabricators.
• Situate learning experiences to emulate the professional world as closely as possible in assessment,       specification, management, collaboration and computer-aided activities.
• Afford ample opportunity to raise community, social and environmental consciousness in classes, projects and organizational activities.

Program Quality Goals

•  Continue program excellence through constant vigilance in applying CIDA Standards.
• Attract and retain quality students.
• Attract and retain qualified faculty to meet program needs.
• Promote student success by adjusting our facilities to support the most current ways that students think  and learn.
• Prepare students for contributing to a sustainable world.
• Strengthen ties to the profession by maintaining a working Advisory Board.
• Respond to the urgent need for design educators by establishing a master’s program.

IMPORTANT TRANSFER STUDENT INFORMATION

Students should consider transferring into the program prior to meeting all general core requirements or course options will be limited.  The completion of ID major course requirements alone requires a minimum of six semesters due to strict sequencing, regardless of other credit hours accumulated.

Pre-Interior Design

Students will initially be admitted as a Pre-Interior Design major (124.99) until they complete ID 1321; TECH 1413; and ARTF 1302 with a grade of C or better and earn a Texas State GPA of 2.25 or higher. When the student has met these requirements, they may apply for admission to the Interior Design program (124.00).

Course Information

The Interior Design major is required to take specialized courses in interior design including history of furnishings and architecture, residential commercial interior design, research and programming, professional practices, and portfolio development. Students participate in an internship in a related area.  Visual communication courses, such as drawing, rendering and CADD, are taken in the Art and Design Department, and the Engineering and Technology Department.

Students should consider transferring into the program prior to meeting all general core requirements or course options will be limited. The completion of ID major course requirements alone requires a minimum of six semesters due to strict sequencing, regardless of other credit hours accumulated.

Interior Design students must pass all required Interior Design, Art, and Technology classes with a grade of "C" or higher. Any student making a grade of "D" or lower in ID 1321, 2322, 2323, 3322, 3323, TECH 1413, and ARTC 2305 may not proceed to the next level course until a grade of "C" or higher is achieved.

The Interior Design faculty conducts a portfolio review for all Interior Design majors immediately upon completion of all their ID 3322 course work. The purpose of the review process is to ensure that the most qualified students, evidenced by adequate skill and knowledge levels, will advance in the program. Students must pass portfolio review to proceed to ID 3323.

If two of the same foreign language were taken in high school, then enough additional hours to total the minimum 120 hours required for the degree will fulfill the language requirement. In the absence of such high school language, two semesters or the same modern language must be taken at the college level.

View ID Program Course Sheets

Interior Design Brochure