2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]


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Interior Design (B.F.A.)



Program Coordinator/Contact

Angela McKillip, Associate Professor
School of Design
Wagner Hall 214, Box 2275A
605-688-5551

Program Information

A major in Interior Design prepares students for professional practice, through research informed, design thinking infused and practice-based projects and opportunities that will strengthen their rational and creative thinking. Very broadly, it seeks to teach students the importance and value of the design process and design thinking, promote the awareness and knowledge of the contributions of the profession to the health, safety and well being of people in the built environment, and to prepare graduates of the program to succeed as professional designers. Upon graduation from this CIDA (Council of Interior Design Accreditation) Accredited program, students are eligible to begin the NCIDQ (National Council of Interior Design Qualification) certificate examination process.

The curriculum is interactive, haptic and performance based, offering problem solving experiences in all major areas of design practice (i.e. healthcare, retail, corporate, residential, etc.), in addition to areas of focused instruction including human factors and behaviors, materials, history, building systems and construction, building codes and regulations, lighting, acoustics and professional practice. The overarching goal of the interior design program is to provide a transformative teaching and learning environment where passion and creativity are fostered, and careers are shaped. This is accomplished through four main goals woven into each project and opportunity delivered across the program: to be experiential, to be contextual, to be collaborative, to be empathetic.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Interior Design major, students will be able to:

  • Synthesize research findings to inform design solutions. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)
  • Create interior environments infused with design-thinking. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking; Problem Solving)
  • Apply practice-based knowledge and skill sets to interior spaces. (Cross-curricular Skill: Teamwork; Ethical Reasoning)

Academic Requirements

The Interior Design major requires the completion of a practicum experience during the summer between the junior and senior years, and a travel studies course required at least once during the standard 4-year sequence (typically summer/May-term). Interior Design students must maintain at least a major GPA of 2.6 and an overall GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the duration of the program.  A grade of a “C” or better is required in all ART, ARTE, ARTH, GDES, DSGN, LA, ARCH, and ID courses.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

South Dakota State University offers the only four-year Interior Design degree in South Dakota accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).

Equipment and Supplies

The Interior Design major requires students to lease or own a laptop computer by the start of their sophomore year. Instructors provide the necessary specifications for processing speed, memory, capacity, and all required software.

Course Delivery Format

The interior design curriculum is organized into eight semester (two per year) with a practicum experience required during the summer between the junior and senior years, and a travel studies course required at least once during the standard 4-year sequence (typically summer/May-term). The curriculum provides a logical sequence of content from introductory level courses into more advanced courses that require higher level of application and development of skills.

Requirements for Interior Design Major: 120 Credits


Bachelor of Fine Arts

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements


Bachelor of Fine Arts Requirements: 3

System General Education and/or major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences  for additional information about Bachelor of Fine Arts specifications.

School of Design Requirements


School of Design Electives


Select 6 credits from the following list. Students are required to take three credits in ARTH and three credits in ART, AHSS, or GDES from the list below. Contact the School of Design advisor for approval of additional courses. Credits: 6

Supporting Coursework


Electives


Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120


Summary of Program Requirements


Bachelor of Fine Arts

System General Education Requirements 32 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements 3 Credit Hours
School of Design Requirements* 14 Credit Hours
Major Requirements 61 Credit Hours
Supporting Coursework 3 Credit Hours
Electives** 7 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.  
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet


The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.