Essential Information
Indiana has 11 schools offering interior design degree programs. Programs are typically offered at the associate's and bachelor's degree levels, although there are a few certificate and master's degree options. The development of a portfolio is often part of undergraduate programs, while the presentation of just such a portfolio of work is common for admission to graduate programs. Many interior design programs include internships or other forms of practicum requirements. Some even offer the opportunity to study abroad.
Review the following paragraphs to learn about the interior design programs offered at eight of the largest public and private nonprofit schools. You can also use the chart to compare schools' program offerings and tuition costs.
Ball State University
This 4-year, public school in Muncie offers an interior design major through its bachelor's degree in family and consumer science program. Both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees are available, and the B.A. program requires two years of foreign language study. The freshman and sophomore year curriculum covers pre-interior design study; submission of a portfolio is required to progress to upper-division classes in the field. Students must complete a 6-credit internship in interior design. Relevant experience can also be attained through the IDA (Interior Design Alliance), an interest-based student group that has ties to two professional organizations, the American Society of Interior Designers and the International Interior Design Association. This is a CIDA-accredited program.
The school also offers a Master of Arts or Master of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences degree in interior design. This isn't a CIDA-accredited program. With a bachelor's degree in interior design, the program takes two years and requires a portfolio submission; it is offered fully online. With a bachelor's degree in any other field, the program takes three years to complete and requires foundational coursework in interior design on the Muncie campus; no portfolio submission is required.
Indiana State University
CIDA and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredit the Bachelor of Science in Interior Design degree program at this Terre Haute school. It's also approved by the National Kitchen and Bath Design Association. About six faculty members teach classes in this program, and students have access to a design studio with the latest industry software. Students take classes like 3-D design, lighting, color concepts, modern interiors, and computer-aided design. A sophomore year portfolio review is also required. While earning their degrees, students can participate in the Interior Designers Embrace Amplification organization. Interior design students may also be able to attend several local and national field trips and/or study abroad in places like Florence, Italy.
Indiana University - Bloomington
Students in Bloomington can attend Indiana University and enroll in the Bachelor of Science degree program in interior design. This CIDA-approved program focuses on design studies in general during the first two years and on interior design concepts in the last two years; this program has a structured curriculum. The program provides students with large shared studio spaces and a print room, and it has dedicated studio space for upperclassmen. Students in this major can also join the Design Studies Student Organization, participate in internships, and apply for department scholarships.
Indiana University-Purdue Global - Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne is home to a campus of Indiana University-Purdue Global where a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design program is offered, although it is not CIDA-accredited.
Students take interior design studio classes, learn about professional practices, and complete a practicum. They can join the school's student chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers. Additionally, the College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science offers all of its majors - including interior design majors - scholarship opportunities.
Indiana University-Purdue Global - Indianapolis
The Indianapolis campus of this university allows students to earn a minor, associate's degree or bachelor's degree in interior design technology, as well as a certificate in computer-aided design. To earn the minor, students must complete six classes - two required classes in interior design and space planning; two studio elective classes in topics like lighting, construction drafting, and materials; and two lecture classes in topics like art history, textiles, and sustainable design. The minor alone does not qualify a student for a career in interior design. Graduates of the Associate of Science in Interior Design Technology degree program, which is not CIDA-accredited, may be able to obtain entry-level interior design jobs as design assistants. After four years of such employment, they may qualify to sit for the NCIDQ exam.
Courses in the CIDA-accredited Bachelor of Science in Interior Design Technology degree program include space planning, lighting, materials, color, textiles, commercial and residential interior design skills, and business practices. An internship, senior thesis, and capstone course may also be completed; research opportunities are available. After two years of relevant work experience, bachelor's degree graduates may qualify to sit for the NCIDQ exam. The school also offers a 15-credit-hour certificate program in architecture and interior design graphics that includes classes in computer-aided drawing software. Students generally have some relevant experience or are already working professionals seeking to brush up on their skills.
Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech has campuses located throughout the state. The school's Technical Certificate in Environmental Design program and the Associate of Applied Science in Environmental Design degree program are offered at its Columbus/Franklin location, as well as its North Central (Elkhart, South Bend, Warsaw) and Southwest (Tell City, Princeton, Evansville) campuses. Neither program is CIDA-accredited. Some core classes include interior space planning, design fundamentals, materials, lighting, and computer-aided design. Students can also choose from electives like landscape design, kitchen and bath design, sustainable design, and fabrics for interiors. Students are required to take a capstone class that includes preparation of a portfolio.
Purdue Global - Main Campus
Purdue Global in West Lafayette has a CIDA-accredited Bachelor of Arts in Design Studies degree program that offers an interior design major. Some of the classes in the program include drafting and drawing, lighting, art history, basic design theories, interior materials, and sustainable design. A portfolio review is conducted in the spring semester of the sophomore year and determines whether students can continue on in the program.
Vincennes University
The Associate of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences degree program with an interior design concentration offered at this Vincennes school prepares students for careers in commercial and residential interior design; it is not CIDA-accredited. In addition to core classes, students in this program take courses in color, texture, kitchen and housing design, drafting and print reading, and interior design principles.
Career Requirements
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency allows individuals to register as interior designers if they have passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam or the Architect Registration Exam (ARE); the qualifications for these professional examinations vary. Registration is voluntary in the state of Indiana and allows usage of the title of registered interior designer.
To sit for the NCIDQ exam, the National Council for Interior Design Qualification reports that individuals must meet specific education and work experience requirements. Acceptable combinations of academic credentials and work experience vary. However, in general, a bachelor's or master's degree in the field requires 3,520 hours of work experience to sit for the test, and up to half of that work experience may be earned while still in school. An associate's degree requires 5,280-7,040 hours of post-degree work experience, depending on how many interior design credits are earned through the degree program. Some degree programs may be accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).
Qualifications to sit for the Architecture Registration Exam in Indiana include completing a bachelor's or master's program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. Applicants need at least three years of relevant work experience.
School Comparison: At a Glance
| School Name | School Type & Setting | Interior Design Degree Programs Offered | Undergraduate Tuition and Fees (2018-2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball State University | 4-year, public; small city | Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences - Interior Design Option | $9,896 in-state, $26,486 out-of-state* |
| Indiana State University | 4-year, public; small city | Bachelor of Science in Interior Design | $9,090 in-state, $19,836 out-of-state* |
| Indiana University - Bloomington | 4-year, public; small city | Bachelor of Science in Interior Design | $10,681 in-state, $35,456 out-of-state* |
| Indiana University-Purdue Global - Fort Wayne | 4-year, public; large city | Bachelor of Science in Interior Design | $8,450 in-state, $20,288 out-of-state* |
| Indiana University-Purdue Global - Indianapolis | 4-year, public; large city | Minor in Interior Design Technology, Associate of Science in Interior Design Technology, Bachelor of Science in Interior Design Technology, Certificate in Architectural and Interior Design Graphics | $9,465 in-state, $29,821 out-of-state* |
| Ivy Tech Community College | 2-year, public; multiple locations | Technical Certificate in Environmental Design, Associate of Applied Science in Environmental Design | $4,368 in-state, $8,402 out-of-state* |
| Purdue Global - Main Campus | 4-yeary, public; midsized suburb | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design Studies - Interior Design | $9,992 in-state, $28,794 out-of-state* |
| Vincennes University | 4-year, public; remote town | Associate of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences - Interior Design | $5,902 in-state, $13,959 out-of-state* |
Source: *NCES College Navigator.
