Interior Design

Interior design is a professional program accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). Its focus is providing for human welfare by improving the quality of life and protecting human health and safety through design of the interior environment. Students study fundamentals, theory, process, communication, research, and technology to identify and solve problems related to people and their use of interior space. They analyze human behavior to determine a client's functional, aesthetic, social, and psychological needs. They design various types of interiors, such as hospitals, offices, schools, residences, restaurants, hotels, and entertainment facilities. To do this, students acquire:

• a foundation in basic design;
• understanding of the relationship between individuals and their environments;
• understanding of the contextual relationship of the site, the building, and its systems to the interior;
• knowledge of regulations that govern their practice of interior design;
• the ability to research user needs and apply findings to problem identification and solution;
• understanding of historical precedent and contemporary design theories;
• technical knowledge and communication skills;
• understanding of business issues and professional ethics; and
• a sense of responsibility to society, especially in the use of resources.

Students must complete a 200-hour internship (IDES 4196) after completing IDES 3606. All coursework in the major must be taken A-F (with the exception of the internship).

Communication Course

• WRIT 3577W - Rhetoric, Technology, and the Internet [TS, WI] (3.0 cr)

Psychology Course

• PSY 1001 - Introduction to Psychology [SOCS] (4.0 cr)

Major Courses

• ADES 2213 - Textile Analysis (4.0 cr)
• ARCH 3711W - Environmental Design and the Sociocultural Context [SOCS, CIV, WI] (3.0 cr)
• ARTH 1001 - Introduction to Art History: Prehistoric to Contemporary [AH] (4.0 cr)
• DES 3201 - Career and Internship Preparation for Design (1.0 cr)
• DES 4165 - Design and Globalization [DSJ] (3.0 cr)
• IDES 2603 - Interior Design Studio III (4.0 cr)
• IDES 2604 - Interior Design Studio IV (4.0 cr)
• IDES 2612 - Interior Materials and Specifications [ENV] (4.0 cr)
• IDES 2613 - Interior Structures, Systems, and Life Safety (4.0 cr)
• IDES 2622 - Computer Applications I (2.0 cr)
• IDES 3161 - History of Interiors and Furnishings: Ancient to 1750 [GP] (4.0 cr)
• IDES 3162 - History of Interiors and Furnishings: 1750 to Present [HIS] (4.0 cr)
• IDES 3605 - Interior Design Studio V (4.0 cr)
• IDES 3606 - Interior Design Studio VI (4.0 cr)
• IDES 3612 - Lighting Design (3.0 cr)
• IDES 3614 - Interior Design Ethics and Professional Practice [CIV] (4.0 cr)
• IDES 3622 - Computer Applications II (2.0 cr)
• IDES 4196 - Internship in Interior Design (1.0 cr)
• IDES 4607 - Interior Design Studio VII (4.0 cr)
• IDES 4608 - Interior Design Thesis (4.0 cr)
• IDES 4615W - Interior Design Research [WI] (3.0 cr)
• ARCH 3412 - Architectural History Since 1750 [HIS, GP] (3.0 cr)
• or ARCH 3412H - Honors: Architectural History Since 1750 [HIS, GP] (3.0 cr)

Upper Division Writing Intensive within the Major

Students are required to take one upper division writing intensive course within the major. If that requirement has not been satisfied within the core major requirements, students must choose one course from the following list. Some of these courses may also fulfill other major requirements.

Take 0 - 1 course(s) from the following:

• ARCH 3711W - Environmental Design and the Sociocultural Context [SOCS, CIV, WI] (3.0 cr)
• IDES 4615W - Interior Design Research [WI] (3.0 cr)
• WRIT 3577W - Rhetoric, Technology, and the Internet [TS, WI] (3.0 cr)

Requirements

• Completed Application for Admission
• $55 U.S. nonrefundable application fee
  If you apply online, you may pay the fee online using a credit card.
• Secondary school transcript from each secondary school/high school attended
  If you have graduated from high school/secondary school, the final school transcript must include grades through the end of the last year in school (equivalent to the 12th year of high school in the U.S.) and the year of graduation. If you were also issued a graduation certificate or leaving examination results, we must also receive a copy of this document. You may submit these documents online using our Secondary School Document Submission form.
• English proficiency test scores
  If your native language is not English, a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery) score is required. Official test scores must be sent directly to the University of Minnesota by the testing agency.

Scholarships

• The University of Minnesota offers a limited number of Global Excellence Scholarships for incoming freshmen and transfer international students studying on an F-1 visa and admitted for fall semesters. The Gold Global Excellence Scholarship awards the full difference between resident and non-resident tuition (freshmen only) and the Maroon Global Excellence Scholarship awards 50% of the difference between resident and non-resident tuition (freshmen and transfer students). 
• New international freshman admitted to the University will also be considered for the Undergraduate Research Scholarship. Recipients receive $1,400 for participation in a faculty sponsored University of Minnesota research project and up to an additional $300 in support of supplies and expenses related to their research project.