Interior Architecture and Design (B.A.)
The mission of the M. Wilhelmina Boldt Interior Architecture and Design undergraduate program is to prepare students for careers as creative, ethically responsible, proficient interior designers. The curriculum combines the Liberal Arts Core requirements with professionally directed coursework to develop practitioners with a commitment to critical thinking, lifelong learning, and concern for the well-being of people and the environment. Graduates enter practice as entry-level interior designers for both residential and commercial interior spaces, possessing a theoretical and practical knowledge in design, space planning, and programming.
Graduates may pursue careers with interior design firms, architectural firms, corporate facilities, and government agencies. The program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).
Internships are available during the junior and senior years with nationally recognized architectural and design firms, furniture and interior retailers, contract designers, and other organizations utilizing design consultants. The program offers exhibitions of student and professional work, takes students on field trips, and taps the resources of the Washington, DC, design community.
Upon successful completion of the interior architecture and design program, students will be able to
- articulate a global view and integrate considerations of social, cultural, economic, and ecological contexts in their work;
- demonstrate awareness of the role of interior designers in the design process and the value of integrated design practices in order to effectively collaborate with multiple disciplines in developing design solutions;
- demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles and processes that define the profession of interior design and the value of interior design to society;
- apply knowledge of human experience and behavior to designing the built environment;
- employ all aspects of the design process to creatively solve a design problem;
- communicate effectively in both oral and written formats;
- apply knowledge of history and theory of interiors, architecture, decorative arts, and art when solving design problems;
- apply elements and principles of design;
- use color effectively in communication and design work;
- develop design solutions that integrate furnishings, products, materials, and finishes;
- effectively use the principles of lighting, acoustics, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality in relation to environmental impact and human well-being;
- demonstrate an understanding of interior construction and its interrelationship with base building construction and systems; and
- formulate designs that are in compliance with laws, codes, standards, and guidelines that impact human experience of interior spaces.
Interior architecture and design majors are encouraged to join the student Interior Design Alliance, which supports individual memberships in the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA).
Admission Criteria for Nondegree Students: Only interior architecture and design practitioners and students from other accredited colleges or universities may take courses on a nondegree basis, provided prerequisites are fulfilled.
Admission Criteria for Transfer Students: Transfer admission to the interior design program is limited and competitive. A school admissions committee reviews student portfolio work to determine placement. A minimum GPA of 3.0 and a letter of intent are recommended.
Program Requirement: Each student entering the first-year interior architecture and design curriculum is required to have a laptop computer and specific industry-standard software. Laptop and software specifications are available on the Marymount website. State-of-the-art electronic studios allow students to access industry-standard software and printers.
Minimum Grade Requirements: To continue in the interior architecture and design program, a C- or better must be earned in each of the following courses: ID 102, ID 121, ID 122, ID 203, ID 204, ID 223, ID 305, ID 306, ID 325, ID 407, ID 408, ID 409. In addition, a C or better must be earned in each of the following courses: VIS 101, VIS 111, and VIS 121.
Residency Requirements: Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits at Marymount. These credits must include ID 407 Practice Studio IV, ID 408 Senior Capstone I, ID 409 Senior Capstone II, ID 400 Internship, and one three-credit interior architecture and design elective.
Degree Requirements — Interior Architecture and Design
This degree requires a minimum of 120 credits.
Liberal Arts Core Requirements
See the Liberal Arts Core for details.
Major Requirements
To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with an advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core requirements.
Visual Arts Core
The following courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C:
| VIS 101 | Introduction to Design Thinking | 3 |
| VIS 111 | Intro to Color and Design * | 3 |
| VIS 121 | Intro to Digital Tools | 3 |
History of Modern Design
Studio Courses
The following courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C-:
Lecture Courses
| ID 101 | Introduction to Interior Design and Theory | 3 |
| ID 231 | Textiles and Finish Materials | 3 |
| ID 332 | Building Technology | 3 |
| ID 333 | Lighting Design | 3 |
| ID 350 | History of Interiors I | 3 |
| ID 351 | History of Interiors II | |
| ID 434 | Business Procedures | 3 |
Experiential
Major Elective Courses
Six (6) credits in interior architecture and design electives. These electives may include interior architecture and design (ID) electives as well as VIS 327.
Sample Degree Plan — Interior Architecture and Design
Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.
Year One - Fall
| EN 101 | Composition I * | 3 |
| ID 101 | Introduction to Interior Design and Theory | 3 |
| ID 121 | Freehand Drafting | 3 |
| VIS 101 | Introduction to Design Thinking | 3 |
| VIS 111 | Intro to Color and Design * | 3 |
Year One - Spring
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| ID 102 | Foundation Studio I | 3 |
| ID 122 | Sketching and Rendering for Ideas | 3 |
| VIS 121 | Intro to Digital Tools | 3 |
| | Philosophy (PH) core course * | 3 |
Year Two - Fall
| ID 203 | Foundation Studio II | 3 |
| ID 231 | Textiles and Finish Materials | 3 |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| HI | History (HI) core course * | 3 |
| MA | Mathematics (MT) core course * | 3-4 |
Year Two - Spring
| ID 204 | Practice Studio I | 3 |
| ID 323 | Presentation Drawings | 3 |
| VIS 204 | History of Modern Design | 3 |
| | Literature (LT) core course * | 3 |
| | Natural Science (NS) core course with lab * | 4 |
Year Three - Fall
| ID 305 | Practice Studio II | 3 |
| ID 325 | Construction Documents | 3 |
| ID 332 | Building Technology | 3 |
| ID 350 | History of Interiors I | 3 |
| | Social Science (SS) core course * | 3 |
Year Three - Spring
| ID 306 | Practice Studio III | 3 |
| ID 333 | Lighting Design | 3 |
| ID 351 | History of Interiors II | |
| | Depth in Faith and Reason core course * | 3 |
| | Social Science (SS) core course * | 3 |
Year Four - Fall
| ID 407 | Practice Studio IV | |
| ID 408 | Senior Capstone I | 3 |
| ID 434 | Business Procedures | 3 |
| | One (1) interior architecture and design elective | |
| | Depth in Humanities core course | 3 |
Year Four - Spring
| ID 400 | Internship | 3 |
| | OR | |
| ID 421 | Project | 1-3 |
| | | |
| ID 409 | Senior Capstone II | 3 |
| | Depth in Sciences (DSCI) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) interior architecture and design elective | |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Note: Students only need 120 credits to graduate. The elective can be 2 credits.
* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core Requirements. See the
Liberal Arts Core and
Course Descriptions for further information.