Bachelor of Science in Interior Design

A career in interior design is part creative, part science and part business. It involves designing and decorating functional and attractive spaces – on time and on budget – and knowing why those choices matter. With ACU’s accredited program, you’ll be equipped to tackle these challenges in creative and innovative ways.
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A career in interior design is part creative, part science and part business. It involves designing and decorating functional and attractive spaces – on time and on budget – and knowing why those choices matter. With ACU’s accredited program, you’ll be equipped to tackle these challenges in creative and innovative ways.

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Mission

Our faculty is composed of award-winning artists and designers who are leaders in their various disciplines and media, and who actively produce and exhibit their creative work. As artists and educators, they believe art has a unique power to change our world and make it a more beautiful, generous, rich and open place.

Program Structure

Bachelor of Science in Interior Design Degree Details

These are the important details you will need to keep in mind as you prepare your application and degree plan.

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Tracks

Business (INTD-IBUS)
Art and Design (INTD-IART)

Required Hours

University Requirements: 56 credit hours + Major Requirements: 66 credit hours (Choice of 2 tracks) + Electives: 6 credit hours = Total Required: 128 credit hours*

*Based on track selection

Example Coursework

Design Drawing
History of Architecture and Design
Interior Components
Design, Construction and Details for Interiors

Minor Available

Yes

Department

Art and Design

Application Deadlines

Early Bird: Nov. 1
Regular: Feb. 1
National Candidates: May 1

Curriculum

Teacher helping student

ACU’s bachelor of science degree in interior design explores how the technical and aesthetic aspects of interior design affect a diversity of populations within residential and non-residential environments. Accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, the program will equip you with unique problem-solving techniques to creatively plan and design environments that protect the health, safety and welfare of building occupants.

Outside the Classroom

Our interior design students are expected to complete an internship for course credit during the summer after their junior year. The internship can be in residential or commercial design areas and must meet a strict set of guidelines. In addition to the curriculum requirements these internships serve to develop the professional network and facilitate job placements after graduation.

The interior design program in conjunction with the Department of Art and Design also offers summer study travel opportunities. Past destinations include England, France, Austria, Spain, Germany, Czech Republic and Italy. These trips are excellent opportunities to earn credit hours while experiencing the arts abroad.

Other real-world opportunities are found in student organizations and co-curriculars including:

  • American Society of Interior Designers
  • Study abroad
  • Student exhibitions
  • American Institute of Graphic Arts

Careers

Students learning interior design

ACU’s interior design program will prepare you to serve a variety of roles in the design profession. Many of our graduates have joined residential and commercial design and architectural firms across the United States. Others have successfully completed graduate degrees in architecture and interior design.

You’ll be challenged to develop aesthetic, technical and creative skills to succeed in the job market as you prepare for such careers as:

  • Art Consultant
  • Interior Architect
  • Store Planner
  • Design Project Manager
  • Fashion Designer
  • Preservationist
  • Museum Consultant

ACU’s program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Interior Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, www.accredit-id.org, 206 Grandville Avenue, Suite 350, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503.

The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, for advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations. The Bachelor of Science in Interior Design granted by Abilene Christian University meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). For more information about NCIDQ Exam eligibility visit: https://www.cidq.org/eligibility-requirements.

Two-Year Average (2019-2021)

  • Attrition Average of Declared Majors Freshman to sophomore = 18%
  • Retention Average of Declared Majors Freshman to sophomore = 82%
  • Graduation Rate for Interior Design Majors = 82%
  • Job Placement/Time to Employment of Interior Design Graduates = 85% in 2 months (2019-2021); 5-year average (2016-2021) is 91%
  • Acceptance into the Graduate Program of Choice = 100% (2 students)

In 2017, two students applied and were accepted to graduate school to pursue degrees in architecture and interior design.