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Interior Design

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The mission of the M. Wilhelmina Boldt Interior 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 this program, students will be able to

capably use quantitative and qualitative skills to evaluate and assess project goals and objectives;
effectively formulate qualitative schematic design skills to develop solutions incorporating human factors, ADA and universal requirements, and environmental elements and responses;
effectively formulate quantitative design development skills to develop solutions incorporating building and life safety codes; furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF & E) requirements; and the built environment;
exhibit the ability to read, interpret, and create contract documents; and
demonstrate an understanding of contract administration and the legal and ethical business practices of interior design.

Interior 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 design practitioners and students from other accredited colleges or universities may take courses on a nondegree basis, provided prerequisites are fulfilled. Enrollment is limited to two courses.

Admission Criteria for Transfer Students: Transfer admission to the Interior Design program is limited and competitive. An Admissions Committee reviews applications in late November and late April. A minimum GPA of 2.7 and a letter of intent are recommended.

Program Requirement: Each student entering the junior-level Interior Design curriculum is required to have a laptop computer. State-of-the-art electronic studios allow students to access the Internet and software on Marymount’s server.

Residency Requirement: Students may transfer credits from an accredited school, but must complete a minimum of 36 credits at Marymount. These credits must include ID 405 Interior Design V, ID 406 Interior Design VI, ID 400 Internship, and two 3-credit ID electives.

Degree Requirements

Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements

See University Requirements and 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 a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.

Marymount University

Interior Design

Interior Design (B.A.)