Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 UMass Dartmouth Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2020-2021 UMass Dartmouth Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Interior Architecture & Design


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INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN MAJOR

The Interior Architecture + Design program prepares students for professional-level entrance into the design field. Students will learn contemporary design techniques, have access to state-of-the art design technology, build a personal portfolio, and gain workplace experience through internships

Students will pursue a well-rounded interior architecture and design degree that integrates technical know-how and artistic vision, develops your creative potential.

Accredited by the Council for Interior Architecture and Design Accreditation (CIDA), CVPA’s Interior Architecture + Design program is the only public option in New England. The Interior Architecture + Design program prepares students for eventual licensure as a designer. Students  will be eligible to complete the three-part National Council for Interior Design Qualifications (NCIDQ) exam and receive national certification.

Interior architects work for a wide range of clients. They work in hospitality, healthcare, commercial, corporate, residential, retail and institutional design. Many interior architecture and design professionals work in niches such as environmental design, historic preservation, furniture design, ergonomics, and health and safety.

Many graduates of the Interior Architecture + Design program go on to graduate school, to pursue a Master of Interior Design, Master of Architecture, Master of Sustainability Design, MBA, or other advanced degrees. For the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Art + Design - Interior Architecture + Design,  students must complete a total of 120 credit hours.  This includes 63 credits for the major, 12 Art Foundation, 6 Art History, 6 specialized IAD History, 27 credits for College and University Study requirements, and 6 open elective credits.  IAD 400 internship can be substituted with an approved elective if the student desires.

The program emphasizes applied skills that one can take directly into the workplace. The project-based curriculum covers exposure to the diversity of the field, including residential, office, retail, and hospitality. One will gain mastery over the technical side of interior architecture and design, while developing your creativity via numerous interior design projects.

All full-time faculty are NCIDQ certified and have years of industry experience. IA+D faculty are a diverse group representing many facets of the field, including architects, engineers, and both residential and commercial designers.

Specialized IAD History Courses


University Studies / Distribution


  • ENL 2XX Literature elective - Credits: 3
  • MTH Mathematics elective - Credits: 3
  • Science electives, 3 credits from each area (The Natural World and The Engaged Community) - Credits: 6
  • The Social World: 3 credits from three areas (Human Questions and Contexts, The Nature of US Society, The Nature of the Global Society) - Credits: 9

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