About the Program
The Interior Architecture major at Purdue University in Indianapolis is a CIDA-accredited, studio-based program that integrates design, technology, construction, and sustainability to prepare students to create interior environments that are innovative, functional, and responsive to human needs.
Grounded in both creative exploration and technical rigor, the 78-credit major curriculum builds progressive expertise in construction systems, Building Information Modeling (BIM), 3D architectural modeling, and interior design studios focused on residential and commercial environments. Students develop strong competencies in space planning, color and lighting, materials and textiles, interior building systems, and sustainable design—while gaining a deep understanding of architectural and interior history as a foundation for contemporary practice.
Through immersive studio experiences, evidence-based design coursework, and a culminating capstone project, students learn to address the health, safety, and welfare of occupants while responding to building codes, environmental systems, and client goals. The program emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration, preparing graduates to work effectively with architects, engineers, contractors, and other industry professionals.
Experiential learning is central to the program. Students engage in service-learning and community-based projects that connect classroom concepts to real-world application. Industry-active faculty, advanced digital tools (including BIM and 3D modeling technologies), and professional practice coursework ensure graduates leave with both a competitive portfolio and the business acumen necessary for professional success.
Graduates are prepared for careers in residential and commercial interior design, corporate and healthcare environments, hospitality design, and related fields—equipped with technical proficiency, creative vision, and professional communication skills to lead in a rapidly evolving built environment.
The Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), ensuring alignment with national standards of professional interior design education.
Interior Architecture (Indianapolis Only) Major Change (CODO) Requirements
Critical Course
The ♦ course is considered critical.
In alignment with the Degree Map Guidance for Indiana’s Public Colleges and Universities, published by the Commission for Higher Education (pursuant to HEA 1348-2013), a Critical Course is identified as “one that a student must be able to pass to persist and succeed in a particular major. Students who want to be nurses, for example, should know that they are expected to be proficient in courses like biology in order to be successful. These would be identified by the institutions for each degree program.”
Disclaimer
The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements. Consultation with an advisor may result in an altered plan customized for an individual student. The myPurduePlan powered by DegreeWorks is the knowledge source for specific requirements and completion.
Comparative information about Purdue University and other U.S. educational institutions is also available through the College Navigator tool, provided by the National Center for Education Statistics, and through the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
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