Content | Navigation |

Academic Majors

 


Interior Design

A professional interior designer is one who is qualified by education, examination and experience to identify, research and creatively solve problems relative to the function and quality of people's interior environments. The course of study in interior design leads to a first professional degree. 

Interior Design PDF

Background Information

The program focuses on improving the quality of life and protecting human health and safety through the design of the interior environment. Students study design fundamentals, theory, process, communication, research and technology to identify and solve problems for a wide range of physical interior environments for all individuals regardless of socioeconomic background. 

The Program

The Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Interior Design, and Hospitality Management offers an accredited undergraduate degree program in interior design. The first two years of the program introduce the fundamentals of design, visual and technical communication techniques (including drafting, perspective drawing, model building, rendering, computer-aided design), and theoretical and practical applications (including anthropometrics, ergonomics, inclusive design, interior design technology and color theory). Each student becomes aware that the interior design profession is exceedingly complex, and collaborating with design professionals and related disciplines in a team approach to problem-solving is routine practice. 

Beginning their first year through their final semester, students interact with professionals during industry tours, critiques, and guest speaking events providing a direct connection to the interior design profession. Upper-division course work is focused on a series of integrated studio experiences and supporting courses including history, evidence-based design, interior materials, professional practice, building information modeling and interior systems. The studio experience culminates in a senior capstone project. Studio experiences require that each student be exposed to a variety of projects at several different levels of complexity and different client project goals. 

Field Experience

North Dakota State University interior design students are required to complete a field experience between the third and fourth year of the program. Students accept a variety of positions throughout the United States and abroad. In the past few years, students have completed field experiences in places such as Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Denver, Florida, New York, Ireland, and Shanghai (China). 

Selective Admission

Admission into the second year professional program comes at the conclusion of the first year of the pre-professional program and is based upon demonstrated professional interest and involvement; a 3.0 institutional cumulative GPA, and a minimum grade of C in all major core requirements. Students must maintain the 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA requirement and a grade of C or better in all major core requirements throughout the remainder of the program. 

Computer Requirements

All students are required to purchase a laptop computer for the visual communications course (ADHM 261). Computer requirements are posted on the program web site. 

Accreditation

The interior design program at NDSU is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and received re-accreditation in 2016. The program is also accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NSAD). 

Career Opportunities

Three main career paths typically are chosen by the design professional include residential, commercial and specialized design. Residential design includes kitchen and bath design, renovation for physically challenged, model homes or historical restoration. Commercial design includes corporate and executive offices, healthcare, retail facilities, institutional transportation, and hospitality and entertainment venues. Other areas of specialty design include lighting, codes, adaptive reuse, product design or product representation. 

Opportunities for NDSU graduates vary according to the geographic area of practice and responsibilities of specific positions. Recent graduates have accepted entry-level positions with starting salaries as high as $50,000 (Minneapolis). 

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

NDSU students participate locally in the student chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). Students also have the opportunity to participate in the North Dakota Interior Designers (NDID) organization. A number of professionals visit campus each year to present programs and informational seminars to students. Trips are planned to design studios, architectural firms and product markets to supplement course work. NDSU interior design students are encouraged to enter design competitions and have experienced a very high success rate. 

The Facilities

NDSU facilities and instructional amenities are among the finest in the Upper-Midwest. The Interior Design Resource Center is well equipped with current samples and a virtual product library. Studios provide individual work stations and tools necessary to complete graphic presentations. 

The Faculty

NDSU faculty hold terminal degrees in interior design or related fields and have been selected because of their individual and collective experience as interior designers and their commitment to teaching. All hold memberships in professional design-related organizations. 

Introductory Curriculum

A suggested curriculum is provided. Other general education combinations are possible, but the sequence of interior design courses cannot vary from this plan. Students who plan to transfer to NDSU should contact the Interior Design Program Coordinator or the Department of Apparel, Merchandising, Interior Design, and Hospitality Management for guidance in selecting courses before or during the first year sequence. 

Interior Design Plan of Study

Please note this is a sample plan of study and not an official curriculum. Actual student schedules for each semester will vary depending on start year, education goals, applicable transfer credit, and course availability. Students are encouraged to work with their academic advisor on a regular basis to review degree progress and customize an individual plan of study. 

Freshman

Fall

Credits

Spring

Credits

ADHM 151 Design Fundamentals

3

ADHM 162 Intermediate Manual Drafting

3

ADHM 160 Interior Design Careers

1

ADHM 261 Visual Communications

3

ADHM 161 Introduction to Manual Drafting

3

COMM 110 Fundamentals of Public Speaking

3

ENGL 110 College Composition I

4

ENGL 120 College Composition II

3

Gen Ed Social & Behavioral Sciences

3

Gen Ed Quantitative Reasoning

3

Gen Ed Wellness

2

 

 

16

 

15

Sophomore

Fall

Credits

Spring

Credits

ADHM 251 Interior Design Studio I-Residential

3

ADHM 253 Interior Design Studio II-Small Scale Contract

3

ADHM 264 Residential Systems

2

ADHM 363 Commercial Lighting Design and Building Systems

3

ADHM 365 CADD for Interiors

3

ADHM 368 Interior Materials

2

ART 111210, or 211 Introduction to Art History, Art History I, or Art History II

3

ADHM 491 Seminar

1

Gen Ed Science & Technology with Lab

4

CSCI 114 or MIS 116 Microcomputer Packages or Business Use of Computers

3

 

 

Gen Ed Science & Technology

3

 

15

 

15

Junior

Fall

Credits

Spring

Credits

Summer

Credits

ADHM 300 Design Resource Management

1

ADHM 316 History of Interiors II

3

ADHM 496 Field Experience

3

ADHM 315 History of Interiors

3

ADHM 353 Interior Design Studio IV-Large Scale Contract

3

     

ADHM 351 Interior Design Studio III-Advanced Residential

3

HD&E 320 Professional Issues

1

 

ADHM 460 Career Development and Professional Practice

3

Gen Ed Social & Behavioral Sciences

3

 

ADHM 461 Building Information Modeling

3

Minor Course

3

 

Minor Course

3

Minor Course

3

 

 

16

 

16

 

3

Senior

Fall

Credits

Spring

Credits

ADHM 366ADHM 367 Textiles & Textiles Laboratory

4

ADHM 452 Comprehensive Interior Design Project

6

ADHM 450 Research and Project Development in Interior Design

3

ADHM 491 Seminar

1

Gen Ed Upper Division Writing

3

Minor Course

3

Minor Course

3

Minor Course

3

Minor Course as needed

3

Minor Course as needed

3

 

16

 

16

Total Credits: 128

Minor Options: One of the following minors is required: Art; Business; Hospitality and Tourism Management; Apparel, Retail Merchandising and Design; Foreign Language (French, German, Spanish); Communication; History; Gerontology; Emergency Management; Natural Resource Management; other minor options may be approved by interior design faculty. (Total Credits required to complete minors will vary). 

View NDSU equivalencies of transfer courses at: www.ndsu.edu/transfer/equivalencies

Evelyn Morrow Lebedeff Hall
Room 178


Evelyn Morrow Lebedeff Hall is located in the center of campus on Centennial Boulevard and is connected to the east end of the Katherine Kilbourne Burgum Family Life Center (Campus Map)

Contact Information

 

College of Human Sciences and Education
NDSU Dept 2600,
PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
Dept Phone: (701) 231-8211
Dept Website: www.ndsu.edu/hse

or

Interior Design
NDSU Dept 2610
PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
Dept Phone: (701) 231-8604
Dept Website: www.ndsu.edu/adhm/interior_design/

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
Ceres 114
Dept #5230, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050
Tel: (701) 231-8643 / Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: www.ndsu.edu/admission/

 

7/19


Student Focused. Land Grant. Research University.

Follow NDSU
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • RSS
  • Google Maps

Office of Admission
North Dakota State University
Phone: +1 (701) 231-8643 / Fax: (701) 231-8802
Campus address: Ceres Hall 114
Physical/delivery address: 1301 Administration Ave., Fargo, ND 58102
Mailing address: NDSU Dept. 5230 / PO Box 6050 / Fargo, ND 58108-6050
Page manager: NDSU Webmaster

Last Updated: Sunday, January 17, 2021 11:30:42 PM
Privacy Statement