Interior Design Professional Program, BFA

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About the Program

Interior design is based on solving problems related to the quality of people’s physical environment within a structure to achieve interior space. These solutions are functional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants, and are aesthetically appealing. Students in Purdue’s interior design program develop the analytical skills and gain the experience to plan commercial, institutional, healthcare, retail, and residential interiors. This program aims to develop students as creative designers who can formulate, propose, and execute creative design solutions for the physical, social, and psychological needs of a changing society influenced by rapid changes in technology. Purdue’s interior design program is CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation) accredited.

Coursework encompasses creative exploration, professional preparation, technical information, and skills with emphases on interior construction, building systems, codes, equipment, and components as well as accessibility, environmental, and sustainability strategies.

Special note regarding portfolio review - An art portfolio is not required to begin this major. However, students are required to pass a selective portfolio review in the spring of their sophomore year to advance to upper level design and complete this major. Selection is competitive and is based on the student’s work in Purdue art and design courses and development as a designer. Students not selected for upper level Interior Design work with their academic advisor to change to their second choice major.

Please visit Interior Design for more information.

Liberal Arts Core Curriculum

Each liberal arts major is designed as a four-year plan of study and includes three types of courses: Major, Core, and Elective. Most students take five courses per semester, with some of each type.

Professional academic advisors meet individually with each of our students on a regular basis to help with course selection, academic planning, and career development, as well as to help students find additional resources on campus.

For the Liberal Arts Core Curriculum click here .

Degree Requirements

126 Credits Required

Departmental/Program Major Courses (78 credits)

A. Art & Design Core: (12 credits)

B. Interior Design Core (36 credits)

C. Interior Design Supportive Requirements (30 credits)

Notes

** AD 47800 - Internship In Art And Design (1-8 credits with min 2 credits) or AD 19100 , AD 19200 , AD 19300 , AD 19400 Co-op Required (0 credits)

A Grade of “C” or Better is required in all courses listed above in areas A, B, and C in order to advance

Mandatory portfolio reviews are required during the spring semester of the sophomore year. Students must pass this review in order to advance to the next level of Interior Design courses.

Other Departmental/Program Course Requirements (57 credits)

ENGL 10600 - First-Year Composition (UCC: Written Communication)
or
ENGL 10800 - Accelerated First-Year Composition (UCC: Written Communication)
COM 11400 - Fundamentals Of Speech Communication (UCC: Oral Communication)
Other Languages (Proficiency through Level IV in one language) (UCC: Humanities) - Credits Hours: 12.00
Mathematics (UCC: Quantitative Reasoning) - Credit Hours: 3.00
Statistics (UCC: Quantitative Reasoning) - Credit Hours: 3.00
Western Heritage - Credit Hours: 3.00
United States Tradition (UCC: Behavioral Social Science - if POL 10100 was taken) - Credit Hours: 3.00
Other Cultures (UCC: Behavioral Social Science - if ANTH 20500 was taken) - Credit Hours: 3.00
Aesthetic Awareness - Credit Hours: 3.00
Racial and Ethnic Diversity - Credit Hours: 3.00
Gender Issues - Credit Hours: 3.00
Social Ethics (UCC: Science, Technology & Society - if PHIL 27000 or POL 22300 was taken) - Credit Hours: 3.00
Individual and Society - Credit Hours: 3.00
Global Perspective (UCC: Science, Technology & Society - if HIST 38400 or HIST 38700 was taken) - Credit Hours: 3.00
Natural Sciences (UCC: Science - requires 6 credits) - Credit Hours: 3.00
Natural Sciences Lab - Credit Hours: 3.00