Interior Design
Let Your Creativity Improve the World.
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Science
- Huntsville
- Face to Face
4 Years
Design with Purpose. Inspire Lives.
Interior design is about more than aesthetics. It is about improving lives through purposeful spaces. At SHSU, the Interior Design program prepares students to design environments that are functional, safe, and responsive to human needs.
With degree options leading to a B.S. or B.A., our CIDA-accredited program combines creative vision with technical skills in space planning, materials, lighting, codes, and construction documents. Students gain hands-on experience with industry tools like CAD and Revit while learning to collaborate with architects, engineers, and construction teams.
Where Vision Meets Function
Shape how people live, work, and connect. From concept to construction, students are trained to meet real-world design challenges while prioritizing sustainability, accessibility, and public welfare. Here, your creativity will take flight, and you’ll learn the skills you need to craft your creative future.
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Design for Living
When you major in interior design at Sam Houston State University, you’ll study ergonomics, critical thinking, drawing, and interior codes and standards. The result is that you’ll be a designer who understands both the form and function of design, and how to articulate your own creative vision. A unique focus on healthcare design allows students to explore how design supports well-being in hospitals, clinics, and other healing environments.
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Accredited
Sam Houston State University’s interior design program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). This means students may sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (https://www.cidq.org/paths), and also prepares them for entry-level interior design practice, advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations.
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Real-World Experience
Interior Design majors are required to complete a supervised internship of at least 200 hours. Students are provided leads for securing internship opportunities; however, part of the internship experience is securing a suitable position.
Learn About Our Program
The mission of the interior design program at Sam Houston State University is to provide an academic background preparing students to think critically, creatively, and independently, enabling them as beginning professionals in interior design to produce quality work and serve the public through protecting health, safety and welfare in a diverse marketplace.
To achieve this mission the program has the following goals:
- To produce graduates with knowledge and skills necessary to practice as entry-level interior design professionals within a diverse marketplace. These graduates will progressively build upon their academic knowledge with work experiences which will make them qualified to become an NCIDQ-eligible design professional.
- To continuously assess the curriculum, ensuring content meets industry and CIDA expectations.
- To develop design projects and assignments relevant and current to real world situations.
- To maintain a level of quality for all course work by requiring students to achieve a minimum grade of “C” in all required FACS, ARTS and ETCM courses, and to complete prerequisite courses in order as they progress through the curriculum.
- To uphold and continue to build strong relationships with industry professionals in the region.
The interior design program leading to the B.S. or B.A. in Interior Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, www.accredit-id.org, 206 Cesar E. Chavez Ave SW, Suite 350, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, for advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations. The B.S. or B.A. in Interior Design granted by Sam Houston State University meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). For more information about NCIDQ Exam eligibility, visit this site.
The interior design program is also accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Student Attrition and Retention Rates
59% of first-time freshman and transfer students who enrolled in the Fall 2022 semester returned to continue in the interior design program in the Fall 2023 semester.
Graduation Rates
91% of design students who graduated in spring 2023 completed the interior design program in four years or less.
Job Placement Rates
100% of students who graduated in spring 2023 were employed in interior design or a related profession at the time of graduation.
Acceptance into Graduate Programs
No students who graduated in 2023 applied for admission to graduate school.
Transfer Information: Taking interior design courses is a progressive process, learning fundamentals first and concluding with a senior capstone project. Course must be taken consecutively, through a minimum of six long-term semesters, to remain on track in the program. Students who plan to transfer should seriously review the course equivalencies as they enroll in courses at their previous institution to ensure credits will transfer. Students may also seek advisement recommendations through the Student Advising and Mentoring (SAM) Center.
Student Projects Policy: The interior design program reserves the right to keep, display, and reproduce design projects and assignments submitted by students. Graded projects and assignments are the property of the department.
Interior Design Program Advisory Board
What is an Advisory Board?
An advisory board links education with the workplace. They bring together representatives from all facets of business and industry to join with educators in planning and monitoring career instruction.
Advisory Board Mission:
- Fostering creativity, innovation, and excellence, the SHSU Interior Design Program Advisory Board collaborates with faculty, students, and industry leaders to elevate interior design education and equip students with the knowledge and skills to succeed as emerging design professionals.
Ares of Board Member Participation:
- Guest Studio Critiques
- Capstone Studio Review
- Curriculum Review and Feedback which informs CIDA accreditation
- Advocates for excellence in the program
- Raises public awareness of the SHSU interior design program
- Internship Placement
- Firm and Project Tours
Board Member Directory:
Louise Nicholson Carter, CHID, EDAC, IIDA, RID
Kory El-Refaei
Kylie Gustafson, NCIDQ
Letecia E. Haywood, Allied ASID
Gregg Kalba, AIA
Brianna LeFlore, RID, NCIDQ
Samantha Peters, AIA, RID, NCARB, NCIDQ, IIDA
Clara M. Simpson, RID, IIDA
Hannah Sliva
Account Manager, Central & South TX and LA, Autex Acoustics
Angela Toups, RID, IIDA, NCIDQ
Materials Consultant, 3form - Greater Houston
Andrea Yanes, RID, WELL AP, LEED GA
Principal – Director of Interior Design, Design Bleu | Houston
Click here to learn more about the interior design profession from these Council for Interior Design Accreditation videos.
Special Note: A sophomore design portfolio is required and conducted in the spring semester. The purpose of this review is to access the complete body of design work in determining ability for a student's success in advanced coursework. Students must successfully complete and pass the portfolio review to be eligible to register for additional major coursework and to progress into the junior year of study.
For specific questions about this program, please contact Shelby Brock, Program Coordinator, Department of Human Sciences, at 936.294.1247 or via email at sab014@shsu.edu.
Find Your Future Career
This degree leads to careers in commercial and residential design, space planning, architect and design sales, and helps graduates become registered interior designers, design showroom managers, and assistant designers.
Expert Faculty
Faculty across a variety of subjects will guide you through theoretical and hands-on work, giving you opportunities to grow your skills and develop a deeper understanding of this creative, dynamic industry.
Become a Bearkat
Ready to see what a degree can do for you or to start your application to SHSU? Our Admissions team is here to help.