College of Visual and Performing Arts

Interior Architecture + Design

As New England’s only public interior architecture and design program, a BS in Interior Architecture and Design equips you to transform creative vision into innovative, functional spaces that shape how people live, work, and connect.

Degree: Bachelor of Science
Modality: On-campus

Duration: 4 years
Total Credits: 120
Accredited: NASADCIDA
Designated: STEM, STEM-OPT

Apeksha Prasai '25.Interior Architecture

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Design spaces. Shape experiences.

Turn your creative vision into spaces that inspire how people live, work, learn, and connect. UMass Dartmouth’s interior architecture and design program—the only public program of its kind in New England—blends artistic creativity with technical expertise to prepare you for a career in professional design. You’ll master contemporary design techniques, work with state-of-the-art technology, build a professional portfolio, and gain real-world experience through internships.

From homes and workplaces to hotels, healthcare facilities, retail spaces, and beyond, interior architecture and design shapes the environments we experience every day. Develop the creative vision, technical skills, and professional experience to transform ideas into meaningful spaces—and build a career designing what comes next.

Launch your career

What can I do with a Interior Architecture and Design BS degree?

An interior architecture and design degree prepares you to create functional, innovative spaces across residential, commercial, healthcare, hospitality, retail, and corporate environments. Graduates pursue careers in interior design, space planning, sustainable design, furniture design, historic preservation, design consulting, and more.

Interior designer
Lighting specialist

Sustainable design consultant
Historic preservation specialist

Exhibit & experience designer
Interior architect

Top employers

Curriculum

You'll complete a total of 120 credit hours, combining interior architecture and design courses with art foundations, art and design history, University Studies courses, and electives.

Our project-based curriculum develops the creative, technical, and professional skills you'll need to succeed in the design industry, with an emphasis on:

residential, commercial, retail, and hospitality design
space planning and environmental design
contemporary design technology
visual communication and presentation
client collaboration and professional practice
portfolio development
internship and real-world experience

Academic catalog

Explore the official academic catalog for detailed curriculum requirements, course descriptions and program information.

Student spotlight

Apeksha Prasai '25: Embracing change

Hometown: Jhapa, Nepal
Major: Interior Architecture + Design
Leadership: ASID UMassD Student Chapter
Employment: Admissions Ambassador
Achievements: Chancellor's List 5x, DLF Student Scholarship Competition First Place

Accolades

UMass Dartmouth is a nationally ranked R2 research university that combines the resources of a major university with a personalized educational experience. Ranked among the top 15 public research institutions with fewer than 10,000 students and in the top 17% nationally for return on investment, UMass Dartmouth is recognized for advancing research, social mobility, and career-ready education.

A Nationally Ranked Destination for Fine Arts

The College of Visual and Performing Arts is nationally recognized for excellence in fine arts, design, music, and creative scholarship. Ranked among the nation’s leading fine arts programs and accredited by NASAD, CVPA offers a studio-based education shaped by accomplished faculty, professional facilities, exhibition opportunities, and a thriving creative community.

Accreditations and distinctions

The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), is the internationally recognized industry standard identifying programs that deliver academic excellence. UMass Dartmouth's Interior Architecture + Design program is the only CIDA and NASAD-accredited program at a public university in New England.

U.S. Green Building Council Silver Accreditation.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is the global leader in green building. The council aims to transform buildings and communities, creating a better future and leaving a lasting legacy.

The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) believes that design impacts lives. ASID was founded in 1975, making it the oldest, largest, and only multi-disciplinary professional organization for interior designers, interior design students, and the manufacturers and suppliers who support the profession.

Frequently asked questions

Have questions about the Interior Architecture and Design BS program? Here you will find answers to common questions about admissions, curriculum, career outcomes, and student experience.

Interior architecture and design goes beyond decorating spaces. You’ll learn to shape interior environments through space planning, materials, lighting, technology, sustainability, building systems, and design—combining creative vision with technical expertise.

Yes. Studio and project-based courses allow you to develop a body of work throughout the program, graduating with a professional portfolio that showcases your design abilities to prospective employers and graduate programs.

Yes. Students can gain professional experience through internships with architecture and design firms and other organizations. UMassD students have interned with organizations including Gensler Boston, Wayfair, Knoll Textiles, SGA Boston, and Taniya Nayak Design.

You don’t need to arrive with professional drawing or design skills. You’ll develop your creative and technical abilities through studio courses and hands-on projects while learning contemporary design technology, visual communication, space planning, and other skills used by interior architecture and design professionals.

The Interior Architecture and Design BS program is designated as a STEM degree and may qualify eligible F-1 international students for the 24-month STEM Optional Practical Training (STEM OPT) extension after completing standard post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Eligibility for STEM OPT is determined by U.S. immigration regulations and individual student circumstances. To learn about eligibility requirements and the application process, review the International Student & Scholar Center (ISSC) OPT page and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) STEM OPT guidance. F-1 students must work with the ISSC to apply for a STEM OPT extension.