Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Interior Architecture & Design
- San Francisco, USA
- Online
Bachelor's degree
DURATION
8 semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Jan 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 1,463 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus
* per unit for international students / USD 1,239 per unit for domestic students
Key Summary
The School of Interior Architecture & Design's BFA curriculum integrates theory, design, and technology in tandem with the standards of the industry. Our students develop the requisite intellectual, artistic, and ethical abilities necessary for professional practice.
The interior design program leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts [BFA] in Interior Architecture & Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, www.accredit-id.org, 206 Grandville Avenue, 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 Bachelor of Fine Arts [BFA] in Interior Architecture & Design granted by Academy of Art 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: https://www.cidq.org/eligibility-requirements.
Unit Requirements
Degree Requirements
BFA Interior Architecture & Design Degree Requirements
- Minimum grade of C- in all core courses, major courses, and LA 107 Writing for the Multilangual Artist or LA 108, IAD 230/LA 226, & IAD 231/229
- Minimum 2.0 GPA and the following general education requirements:
- 1 Written Communication: Composition
- 1 Written Communication: Critical Thinking
- 1 Written Communication: Context & Style
- 1 Employment Communications & Practices
- 1 Interior Architecture History: Traditional
- 1 Interior Architecture History: Contemporary
- 1 Historical Awareness
- 1 Quantitative & Human Factors
- 1 Cultural Ideas & Influences
- 2 Art Historical Awareness: Western Art
After the above general education requirements are met, take Liberal Arts electives as needed to fulfill the Liberal Arts unit requirement.
Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
Interior Design Skills
- Meet industry standards in response to professional ethics, global issues, and technological advances
- Demonstrate creative approaches to spatial organization, use of material and lighting
- Establish a relationship of interior design elements to the architecture of the building
- Demonstrate an understanding of the laws, codes, and standards that impact fire and life safety by correctly applying professional standards to space planning and layouts
- Demonstrate an understanding of ADA and Universal Design principles in interior design solutions
- Demonstrate an understanding of the concepts, principles, and theories of sustainability as they pertain to building methods, materials, systems, and occupants by incorporating sustainable solutions into interior designs
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of human factors and behavior in the built environment by creating informed design solutions.
- Create construction drawings and documents
- Demonstrate an understanding of color principles, theories, and systems
- Demonstrate an understanding of movements and traditions in interior design, architecture, and furniture by applying precedents design solutions
Problem-Solving Skills
- Demonstrate programming skills such as identifying user needs, gathering and analyzing information
- Present a range of design solutions for a project by creating ideation sketches, bubble diagrams, and preliminary drawings
Technical Design Skills
- Effectively apply principles of two and three-dimensional design through both traditional and digital media
- Effectively apply color in all aspects of visual communication
- Visualize concepts through sketching and space planning
Communication Skills
- Clearly communicate design ideas and solutions relative to the goals and objectives of the project program, using accurate design vocabulary in verbal and written presentations
Building Systems
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of construction systems such as mechanical, energy, security, acoustics building control systems by making informed design decisions
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of non-structural systems such as ceilings, flooring and interior walls in design solutions
Global Perspective
- Demonstrate an understanding of social, economic and cultural differences in interior designs
- Collaborate effectively to produce creative projects
Professional Readiness
- Produce a portfolio and identity system that meets industry standards
- Create a business plan demonstrating familiarity with business and professional practices
Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:
- Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
- Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
- Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
- Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
- Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
- Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
- Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
Semester 1
- FND 113: Sketching for Communication
Core / 3 Units - IAD 100: Foundations Studio - The Roots of Design
Core / 3 Units - IAD 140: Introduction to Construction Documents
Core / 3 Units - IAD 210: Digital Imaging
Major / 3 UnitsSemester 2 - ADV 230: Rapid Visualization Techniques
Major / 3 Units / Recommended for summer - FND 122: Color Fundamentals
Core / 3 Units - IAD 241: Perspective Drawing Techniques
Core / 3 Units - LA 108: Composition for the Artist
Liberal Arts / 3 Units - LA 120: Art History Through the 15th Century
Liberal Arts / 3 Units / Recommended for summer - LA 254: Human-Centered Design
Liberal Arts / 3 UnitsSemester 3 - IAD 200: Studio 1: Introduction to Interior Architecture & Design
Core / 3 Units - IAD 230: Survey of Traditional Interior Architecture
Major / 3 Units - IAD 245: Materials
Core / 3 Units - IAD 345: Color Rendering Techniques
Major / 3 Units - LA 202: English Composition: Creative Persuasion & Argument
Liberal Arts / 3 UnitsSemester 4 - IAD 231: Survey of Contemporary Interior Architecture
Major / 3 Units - IAD 240: Building Codes & Systems
Core / 3 Units - IAD 280: BIM & Design Graphics
Core / 3 Units - IAD 330: Introduction to Lighting Design
Core / 3 Units - LA 121: Art History Through the 19th Century
Liberal Arts / 3 Units - LA 291: Designing Careers
Liberal Arts / 3 Units / Recommended for summer - LAN 375: Sketching for Idea Development
Core / 3 Units / Recommended for summerSemester 5 - ADV 230: Rapid Visualization Techniques
Major / 3 Units - IAD 270: 3D Digital Modeling
Major / 3 Units - IAD 310: Studio 2: Residential Design (formerly IAD 350 Design 4: Design Development)
Major / 3 Units - LA 110: Writing the Short Story
Liberal Arts / 3 Units - LA 236: Survey of Bay Area Architecture
Liberal Arts / 3 UnitsSemester 6 - IAD 340: Studio 3: Commercial Design (formerly IAD 300 Design 3: Design Process)
Major / 3 Units - IAD 380: Sustainable Design
Major / 3 Units - LA 127: Topics in World Art
Liberal Arts / 3 Units - LA 226: Survey of Traditional Interior Architecture
Liberal Arts / 3 Units / Recommended for summer - LA 229: Survey of Contemporary Interior Architecture
Liberal Arts / 3 Units / Recommended for summer - LA 359: Urban Sociology
Liberal Arts / 3 Units - N/A: Any Course
Elective / 3 UnitsSemester 7 - IAD 410: Studio 4: Social Design
Major / 3 Units - IAD 430: Professional Practice for Interior Design
Major / 3 Units - LA ###: Any LA course
Liberal Arts / 3 Units - PH 103: Digital Photography for Artists
Elective / 3 UnitsSemester 8 - IAD 440: Studio 5: Senior Studio Comprehensive Design
Major / 6 Units - IAD 450: IAD Portfolio Preparation
Core / 3 Units - IAD 500: Internship in Interior Design
Elective / 3 Units / Recommended for summer - LA ###: Any LA course
Liberal Arts / 3 Units