Interior Design BS

Professional Foundation

Our undergraduate interior design curriculum focuses on improving people’s quality of life and promoting health and well-being through the design of interior environments.

By exploring sustainable, human-centered design solutions and learning experiences, you will learn to identify and solve problems concerning people and their interactions with interior space. 

Benefits Of Accreditation

The College of Design's Interior Design Program leading to the BS in Interior Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), 206 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW, 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 BS granted by the University of Minnesota College of Design meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). Learn more information about NCIDQ Exam eligibility.

Portfolio Review

Following a typical course load, you can expect to participate in portfolio review at the end of the second semester of your first year.

Portfolio review ensures that you have acquired an understanding of essential design knowledge from foundation-level classes and are prepared to move on to more advanced coursework. 

You must pass the review in order to continue on with your coursework and complete your degree. 

To participate in portfolio review, you must be a pre-interior design major with an overall GPA of at least 2.50 and a minimum grade of C- in required courses.

Required Internship

Interior design students gain skills, network with professionals, and clarify their career goals during their internships. Internships typically last for one academic semester or a summer session.

Geographically, students have completed internships in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, Boston, Chicago, New York, Milwaukee, and other major cities in the United States as well as international locations such as London.

The interior design program coursework and faculty guidance prepare students to seek and apply for successful internship experiences in the design industry. In return, the internship experience enables students to enrich their classroom learning via time with engaged mentors.

Learning Abroad

Your global education in interior design includes the opportunity to participate in community engagement, learning abroad programs, and studio projects in global settings.

Choose from programs located in cities across the world, such as Wellington, Copenhagen, and Glasgow.

Through these programs, you will develop an important global perspective that will influence your personal design style approach and ability to function as a global citizen.