Interior Design
Definition
This program prepares the student for a career as a professional interior
designer. It educates the student in creativity, design process, technical
skills and theory in order to successfully enter the profession.
The Real World
Interior Design students are required to complete their internship during the summer between their junior and senior years. The students are assisted in their internship placement and are monitored throughout the experience. Examples of Internship sites for Interior Design students: Carter & Burgess and Gideon-Toal of Fort Worth, HKS and Leo A. Daly of Dallas, 3-D International of Houston, and Naomi Leff & Associates in New York City.
After Graduation
The TCU Interior Design program is accredited by The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), formerly FIDER. The CIDA accredited program prepares students for the opportunity to complete the necessary steps to obtain state licensing. This major is for the student planning a career as a licensed designer with interior design and/or architectural firms. As a CIDA accredited program, the state mandated apprenticeship for Interior Designers is reduced from 2 years to 1 year.
Graduate degrees are not required for most professional positions within the Interior Design Industry. However, those who aspire to work as a College Professor will need a graduate degree.
Job placement for graduates with an Interior Design major is excellent because of the required internship program. Many of our majors will stay with the organization for which they interned. Others will use the internship experience as a networking tool to obtain a position with a related company. Graduates work in both residential or commercial design firms. Additionally, many of our graduates work with lighting design firms or in wholesale.
The TCU Distinction
Interior Design Majors develop fundamental skills in the principles and elements of design, drafting, concept development and visual presentation skills. The curriculum provides study in computer aided design, lighting, building construction, business and professional practice, color, materials and finishes.
The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), formerly FIDER has continuously accredited the curriculum since 1978.
Italy and Scotland travel programs are available as additional components of the curriculum.
Students who demonstrate high scholarship are eligible for membership in the Beta Zeta Chapter of Phi Upsilon Omicron, a national honor society. The department sponsors the Texas Christian University Interior Design Association (TIDA), a pre-professional organization. Opportunities are available for students to affiliate with student sections of professional organizations including the American Society of Interior Designers, International Interior Design Association, and Illuminating Engineering Society.
Transfer Policy
Transfer students must present a current transcript and a portfolio, photographs, or slides of their work for evaluation by the department at least one week prior to registration or at a time of advisement in order to determine the appropriate levels of competency.
Curriculum
Interior Design is a four year program. A formal portfolio review is initiated during the fall of the sophomore year. Acceptance by the Interior Design faculty is necessary for continuation in the program. The Interior Design curriculum is a highly intensive studio experience. Students may express interest in this area of study, but only studio experience, guided by qualified faculty, will demonstrate aptitude.
Interior design majors are strongly encouraged to purchase laptop computers. The design process is fluid meaning the integration of hand drawing and sketching merges with the utilization of software such as the student version of AutoCad and Photoshop. Interior design majors will discover that the educational experience is enhanced by having immediate access to a computer in interior design studio courses particularly during the later part of the sophomore year. If an interior design major is purchasing a computer prior to coming to TCU, it is highly recommended that they purchase a PC laptop. The student version of AutoCAD does not function on a MAC, therefore, PC brands of laptops are recommended.
All courses require a grade of “C” or better for matriculation within the major.
1st Year (all three courses required prior to progressing to 2nd year)
Fall Semester 2nd Year (required prior to progressing to Spring, 2nd year)
Portfolio Review required prior to progressing to Spring semester, 2nd year.
Spring Semester 2nd Year (required prior to progressing to Fall, 3rd year)
Fall Semester 3rd year (required prior to progressing to Spring, 3rd year)
Spring Semester 3rd year (required prior to progressing to Fall, 4th year)
Summer Only:
Fall Semester 4th Year (required prior to progressing to Spring, 4th year)
Spring Semester 4th Year (required in order to graduate).
Courses of Instruction