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BS in Architectural Studies with Emphasis in Interior Design

Degree Program Description

The Interior Design emphasis is a four-year, professional baccalaureate program accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). The interior design program's mission is to prepare students for success in entry-level interior design practice and advanced study in architecture (Masters of Architecture, M. Arch.) or other design-related disciplines.  Core competencies protect human health, safety, and welfare through the design of interior environments. Our educational philosophy is grounded in the values of creating sustainable and meaningful interior spaces to integrate aesthetic quality and compassion for the human condition. The NCIDQ definition clarifies the scope of the services and tasks of the profession. Curriculum incorporates signature characteristics of interior design such as furniture, fixtures, equipment, color, and interior materiality. The program benefits from its enriched academic research environment with outstanding faculty. Emphasizing the thinking and making of spaces, our interior design program stresses the inside of buildings and those experiences that help to create peoples’ individual meaning in life. For more information on professional advancement and examples of opportunities see Careers in Interior Design with links to professional organizations and regulations. Also see post-graduate placements at Spotlight on Alumni. See Architectural Studies web page for highlights of program.

Major Program Requirements

Coursework

Students complete University of Missouri general education coursework and professional interior design coursework in the following content areas: basic creative development, design planning and analysis, design communication, technical knowledge, history of art/architecture/interiors, business, and design theory.

Studio Description

It is the design studio setting where learning by doing is experienced and realized. The studio is a collaborative and cooperative learning environment emphasizing personal intellectual development as well as content learning. Course work includes studios and coursework centering on the synthesis of functional, technological, social, aesthetic and symbolic attributes of interior design that support human needs and their aspirations. See Studio Description on the department website for more information.

Application for Professional Program

After completing the two required classes of Drafting (ARCHST 1200), and Visual Design (ARCHST 1100) during the first year, students apply for admission to the studio sequence and submit work from these classes in their design portfolio. Applications are made at the end of the spring semester granting permission to enroll in Studio I. The application form is available at the department's web site. Transfer coursework is evaluated by faculty on a case by case basis.  Please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies for more information. 

Degree Requirements

Basic Creative Development9
ARCHST 1100Visual Design3
ARCHST 2315Introduction to Building Systems Laboratory1
ARCHST 2316Advanced Building Systems Lab2
ARCHST 3100Color and Light3
Design Planning and Analysis24
ARCHST 2811Studio I4
ARCHST 3182Studio II4
ARCHST 4813Interiors Studio III4
ARCHST 4814Interiors Studio IV4
ARCHST 4815Construction Documents and Building Information Modeling Studio4
ARCHST 4990Thesis Design Studio4
Design Communication9
ARCHST 1200Architectural Drafting and Working Drawings3
ARCHST 2230Design Communication I3
ARCHST 3230Advanced Design Communication Using BIM3
Technical Knowledge18
ARCHST 2220Introduction to CAD3
ARCHST 2310Building Systems3
ARCHST 2323Sustainable Building Design Fundamentals3
ARCHST 4320Materials, Methods and Products3
ARCHST 4323Sustainable Technologies and Systems3
ARCHST 4333Compliance and Specifications3
History of Art, Architecture and Interiors6
ARCHST 4435History of the Designed Environment to 17503
ARCHST 4440Design Precedents: Architecture, Interiors and Furniture since the Industrial Revolution3
Business3
ARCHST 4710Design Business Practices3
Design Theory9
ARCHST 1600WFundamentals of Environmental Design - Writing Intensive3
ARCHST 2100Understanding Architecture and the American City3
ARCHST 3860WHuman Factors Programming - Writing Intensive3

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Semester Plan

Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available. Total credits must be a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete the degree.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ARCHST 11003ARCHST 1600W3
ARCHST 21003ARCHST 12004
ARCHST 23151ARCHST 23233
ARCHST 23162MATH 10503
ENGLSH 10003Physical/Biological/Math Science3
MATH 11003 
 15 16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ARCHST 22203ARCHST 22303
ARCHST 23103ARCHST 31003
ARCHST 28115ARCHST 31825
ARCHST 44353ARCHST 44403
Electives3Am Hist/Pol Sci3
 17 17
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ARCHST 43203ARCHST 32303
ARCHST 43333ARCHST 3860W3
ARCHST 48135ARCHST 47103
Electives3ARCHST 48145
 14 14
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
ARCHST 43233ARCHST 48154
ARCHST 49905Electives8
Electives6 
 14 12
Total Credits: 119

The University requires the following courses to have a grade of C- or above:  ENGLSH 1000, Desing Studios, ARCHST 1600W Fundamentals of Environmental Design - Writing Intensive and ARCHST 3860W Human Factors Programming - Writing Intensive; meeting Writing Intensive requirements, and ARCHST 4815 Construction Documents and Building Information Modeling Studio; satisfying the capstone experience.

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Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

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Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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