University Catalog

Bachelor of Science in Interior Design

About This Program

The Bachelor of Science in Interior Design is a four-year professional degree program that combines project-based design studios, technical coursework, and a required internship. The first two years focus on foundational studies in design principles, history, terminology, and visual skills. During this stage, students explore the profession through introductory courses in interior design.

In the final two years, students progress into major-level studios and lecture courses centered on professional practice, materials, building systems, and human-centered design. The curriculum blends creativity with practical application, preparing graduates for entry into the design industry.

The program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), ensuring it meets national standards for interior design education. Graduates of the program at UT Arlington may apply for advanced standing in the UT Arlington Master of Architecture program.

Competencies

  1. Upon completion, students will demonstrate an understanding of interior design history, theory, and design principles in the context of global, cultural, social, and environmental conditions.
  2. Upon completion, students will apply critical and creative thinking to analyze, create, and communicate evidence-based design solutions that respond to a variety of user needs, conditions, and parameters.
  3. Upon completion, students will demonstrate the ability to identify, plan, and design interior spatial environments that support health, safety, and well-being in the context of building systems.
  4. Upon completion, students will apply knowledge of products, materials, color, and lighting in support of the design intent.
  5. Upon completion, students will demonstrate understanding of building systems, codes and regulations, and construction as applied to professional practice and interdisciplinary collaboration.
  6. Upon completion, students will create solutions that contribute to the health and well-being of occupants of interior spaces, integrate research and evidence to inform decisions, and communicate the interdisciplinary nature of design.

Admissions Criteria

Admission to the Interior Design Basic Studies sequence is open to all students meeting the general requirements for entrance to the University. Please visit our website for our full admissions requirements.

To declare a major (enter 3rd year) in Interior Design and gain permission to enroll in upper-level INTD or ARCH courses:

  • The student will have completed the Interior Design Basic Studies sequence with a grade of C or better within each major course (INTD+ARCH).
  • The student will have completed core curriculum required for the Interior Design degree plan with grades of C or better within all Math and Physics courses.
  • Have a minimum of a 2.8 GPA both overall at UT Arlington as well as within the Interior Design Basic Studies sequence.
  • Completion of the First Year Foundation Competency portfolio review (FYPR) evaluations.
  • Complete a Major Declaration form available through the School of Architecture

GPA requirements may change based on changes in the curriculum of the program. Qualified students must meet the GPA requirements that are in place at the time they fulfill all other requirements to declare their major.

To declare a major for a fall semester, qualified applicants will submit their request to declare a major in the School of Architecture office at the completion of the spring semester, by the department specified deadline.

Consideration for fall admission into the major studies programs for qualified summer applicants will be based on an individual basis.

Official records of coursework taken at other institutions or universities must be submitted to the advising office of the School of Architecture before a student can file a Major Declaration form. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that all coursework is transferred to the Office of Admissions at UT Arlington in a timely manner.

Upon entrance into the major studies programs, students will be required to maintain the minimum 2.8 GPAs both overall at UT Arlington and within the major to remain active and proceed within the program.

first year foundations competency

The School of Architecture requires a First Year Foundations Competency that is evaluated through a two-part First Year Portfolio Review (FYPR1 & FYPR2). All students with the intent of pursuing the BS.ARCH or BS.INTD degree are required to participate in the FYPR. All transfer students will also be required to submit a portfolio via our portfolio portal. The portfolio review will determine areas of concern and provide academic advisors with insight for student’s success.

Programs Cohort

The undergraduate programs in the School of Architecture at the University of Texas at Arlington are organized in a structured cohort format.

What Is a Cohort?

A cohort is a group of students that follows the same set schedule and progresses through a program together.  The sequential scheduling of the courses promotes an interactive learning environment and facilitates networking opportunities and career-strengthening relationships.

How Does It Work?

The program consists of a sequence of courses that takes a minimum of eight semesters to complete. The courses are offered in specific semesters (Fall and Spring) that require the students to complete the prior level before proceeding to the next level. If a student gets off-track in the cohort, she/he must wait until the missing course(s) are offered again.

How Are the Courses Sequenced?

For the required course list and a suggested sequence of courses, refer to the Curriculum section of this page

Curriculum

Foundations
General Core Requirements 42
Students must complete specific courses in certain core areas.
For Creative Arts select:
INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN IN THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
For Life & Physical Science select:
PHYSICS FOR NON SPECIALISTS I
GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I
PHYSICS FOR NON SPECIALISTS II
GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS II
For Mathematics select:
TRIGONOMETRY
For Component Area Option select:
ARCHITECTURAL CALCULUS WITH ANALYTIC GEOMETRY
INTRODUCTION TO ART HISTORY I: PREHISTORIC THROUGH 16TH CENTURY
INTRODUCTION TO ART HISTORY II: 17TH CENTURY TO THE PRESENT
INTRODUCTION TO ART HISTORY III: AFRICA, ASIA, AMERICAS
Interior Design Foundations (Basic Studies)
UNIV-AR 1131STUDENT SUCCESS1
or INTD 1101 STUDENT SUCCESS
ARCH 1302HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN I: FOUNDATIONS3
INTD 1341DESIGN FOUNDATIONS3
INTD 1342DESIGN COMMUNICATIONS I3
INTD 2324HISTORY OF INTERIOR DESIGN AND THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT3
INTD 2343DESIGN COMMUNICATIONS II3
INTD 2451SPATIAL ENVIRONMENTS4
INTD 2452DESIGN STUDIO: INTERIOR DESIGN I4
Interior Design Specialization (Major Studies)
INTD 3321MATERIALS AND RESOURCES3
INTD 3322MATERIALS & TECHNOLOGY3
INTD 3323LIGHTING SYSTEMS AND DESIGN3
INTD 3332PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE IN INTERIOR DESIGN3
INTD 3338BUILDING CODES AND REGULATIONS3
INTD 3357DESIGN COMMUNICATIONS III3
INTD 3453DESIGN STUDIO: INTERIOR DESIGN II4
INTD 3454DESIGN STUDIO: INTERIOR DESIGN III4
INTD 4344DESIGN COMMUNICATIONS IV3
INTD 4361ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN 3
INTD 4365IMMERSIVE ENVIRONMENTS3
INTD 4366HUMAN CENTERED DESIGN3
INTD 4368INTERIOR DETAILING 3
INTD 4493INTERIOR DESIGN INTERNSHIP4
INTD 4456DESIGN STUDIO: INTERIOR DESIGN IV4
INTD 4457DESIGN STUDIO: INTERIOR DESIGN V4
Select a course in art history at the 3000 level or higher with prior approval of advisor.3
Total Hours122

Suggested Plan of Study

First Year
Fall SemesterHoursSpring SemesterHours
ARCH 13013ARCH 13023
INTD 1101 or UNIV-AR 11311INTD 13423
INTD 13413Communication3
Communication3U.S. History (part 1)3
PHYS 13013PHYS 13023
Government/Political Science3 
 16 15
Second Year
Fall SemesterHoursSpring SemesterHours
INTD 23433INTD 23243
INTD 24514INTD 24524
U.S. History (part 2)3Government/Political Science3
MATH 13033MATH 13273
Language, Philosophy & Culture3Social & Behavioral Sciences3
 16 16
Third Year
Fall SemesterHoursSpring SemesterHours
INTD 33213INTD 33223
INTD 33233INTD 33323
INTD 33383INTD 33573
INTD 34534INTD 34544
ART 1309, 1310, or 131733000/4000 Art History3
 16 16
Fourth Year
Fall SemesterHoursSpring SemesterHours
INTD 43613INTD 43443
INTD 43653INTD 43683
INTD 43663INTD 44574
INTD 44564INTD 44934
 13 14
Total Hours: 122

Program Completion

Competence in Oral Presentations

Students obtaining an Architecture BS demonstrate oral proficiency by taking and passing ARCH 2551, ARCH 2552, ARCH 3553, ARCH 3554, ARCH 4556, and ARCH 4557 or approved equivalents.

Competence in Computer Use

Students obtaining an Architecture BS can demonstrate computer proficiency by:

  • Taking and passing ENGL 1301 or ENGL 1302 at UT Arlington in a computer classroom environment or ENGL 3372, ENGL 3374, CSE 1301 (or equivalent), or any other class approved for this purpose by the Undergraduate Assembly.
  • Passing the University computer literacy examination.

Grades

Upon admission to the Major Studies, all declared majors must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.8 both within the major and in the cumulative GPA to continue in the upper level program to satisfy requirements for graduation.

A grade of C or higher must be earned in each School of Architecture course used for credit toward an undergraduate degree and minor offered by the school. A grade of C or higher must be earned in all required Math and Physics courses. Grades of P are not acceptable for classes in which a grade of C or higher is required.

Repetition of Courses

Three attempts to achieve a satisfactory grade are permitted for each required course in the School of Architecture. Beyond that number of attempts, the student is denied access to the course in question, or to the sequence of courses for which it is requisite. Enrollment in the course for the time sufficient to receive a grade, including the grade W, is considered an attempt.

Transfer of Credit

The extent of credit toward degree requirements for academic work done elsewhere will be determined by the representatives of the appropriate program. Students applying to transfer credits from studio courses taken elsewhere must present examples of that work for evaluation.

Student Projects

The School of Architecture reserves the right to retain, copyright, use, exhibit, reproduce, and publish any work submitted for course credit. The student is encouraged to develop a portfolio of all work accomplished in advanced courses for future professional and academic uses.

Policy for Classroom + Studio Non-registered Attendees

The following policy applies to scheduled courses and academic activities in the School of Architecture, including undergraduate and graduate programs in Architecture and Interior Design. The policy is effective January 1, 2024 and complies with University of Texas at Arlington EI-PO-11, the  Texas  Education Code Section 51.982, and  Title  IX  of  the Education Amendments of 1972.

Only assigned instructors, enrolled students, invited guests and other individuals who have received the instructors’ permission in advance are permitted in scheduled classes within CAPPA buildings.  Unenrolled students, dependent minors of enrolled students or guests without instructors’ permission are not permitted within the assigned classroom during any scheduled class.  Other faculty engaged in peer review or other sanctioned academic responsibilities may attend as warranted and with consent of the instructor for the course or program director.

On occasion, due to extenuating circumstances, it is understood that an enrolled student who is a parent may have no other childcare choice than to have their child brought to the learning environment.  In these circumstances, suspension of the above policy may be permitted by the instructor on a limited basis, to be designated by the instructor. Prohibited Minors: Persons under the age of ten (10) are not permitted in any laboratory (studio).

Independent Study Policy (INTD 4191, INTD 4391)

For students interested in completing Independent Study, independent studies are limited to no more than six (6) total hours during their undergraduate degree pursuit with the program. No more than three (3) credit hours of independent study is allowed in one semester. All Independent Studies must adhere to the following process:

  1. The student must have minimum 3.0 GPAs both overall at UTA and within the major.
  2. The Independent Study subject/purpose must not be covered in the regular curriculum.
  3. The student will develop and write an independent study proposal and find a sponsoring faculty member to supervise the independent study.
  4. The faculty member, if agreeable to supervise the independent study, must complete a submit a CAPPA Independent Study form with a detailed outline on what the independent study will cover, why it is needed, and how many credits are requested.
  5. The faculty member will submit the completed/signed form to the CAPPA undergraduate advising office at arch.advising@uta.edu.
  6. The Independent Study request is subject to administrative approval.

Any independent study from programs outside of the student's current major are still subject to the Independent Study Policy above for consideration of application to the degree.

Advising Resources

The College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs (CAPPA) at UT Arlington equips students with skills and knowledge to address real-world challenges in design, public policy, and research. Our Advising Office supports academic and career success. Explore our Future Students page to connect with an Academic Advisor and shape your future.

Location:

203 CAPPA Building

Email:

cappa.advising@uta.edu

Phone:

817-272-2801

Web:

General advising

Future students