Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture
The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Interior Architecture (IA) program at KU is a comprehensive, interdisciplinary, professional education that prepares graduates to be leaders in the interior architecture and design professions. In October 2022, the IA Program received the CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation) Candidacy status.
Through career-focused instruction in a collaborative studio environment, students learn to create innovative, equitable, and meaningful interior environments that support the human condition and improve the ecological health of the planet. Research-driven, evidence-based, and human-centered design processes are reinforced by learning experiences that reflect the present and future practice.
The four-year program is aligned with the School's accredited Master of Architecture degree. With less than two years of additional courses, students may complete the requirements for an innovative, joint Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture - Master of Architecture degree.
Undergraduate Admission
All prospective students must complete the online University of Kansas application. This application serves as the application for admission to KU, University Scholarships, and the Interior Architecture program. Admission is highly selective and competitive. For questions about your application and the process reach out by email to arcd@ku.edu for more information.
Applications
Applications for the Fall semester should be submitted during the student’s senior year in high school. The priority application deadline is November 1, and the final application deadline is February 1. Completed applications are reviewed, and applicants are notified of their admission status. Applications received after February 1 are considered but are less likely to be accepted due to space limitations.
Complete the online KU application by going to www.admissions.ku.edu and selecting the School of Architecture and Design, and then selecting the appropriate degree. This online application will serve as both your application for admission to KU and to the School of Architecture and Design.
High School Students
Applicants to the Interior Architecture program who apply by November 1 and meet the following criteria will be guaranteed admission:
- 3.8+ GPA on a 4.0 scale and at least 1 high school drawing or art class with grade of B or higher
or
- 3.5 – 3.79 GPA on a 4.0 scale and ACT 24+/SAT 1160+ and at least 1 high school drawing or art class with grade of B or higher
Applicants who do not meet the above criteria or who apply after November 1 will be holistically reviewed and admitted as space permits. Applicants whose high schools do not offer drawing or art classes are encouraged to contact Joan Weaver, Admissions Coordinator, at jweaver@ku.edu to submit drawing or artistic samples.
Transfer Students
Transfer students should apply by October 1 for the spring semester and by the priority deadline of February 1 for the summer and fall terms. The final application deadline is February 1. Space limitations apply to transfer students. Transfer applications received after February 1 are likely to be denied due to space limitations. Transfer students may be admitted, if space is available and if they have an overall grade-point average of at least 3.5.
All prospective transfer students should complete the online application and select a major in Interior Architecture in their application. Transfer students can use KU’s credit transfer tool to learn more about how courses may transfer to KU. Transfer applications will be reviewed at the end of each semester and admitted as space permits.
Application Requirements
- 3.5+ cumulative GPA over 2 semesters of full-time enrollment
- Complete online application
- Submit official transcripts to the KU Office of Admissions
International Students
The School of Architecture and Design admits only exceptional students from other countries. Standards for admission are set according to the traditions and grading policies of those countries. In some countries, for example, the grade of A is almost never given, while in other countries the A grade is more frequently seen. The number of students admitted depends on the space available on February 1.
Visit the Office of International Support Services for information about international admissions.
B.S. in Interior Architecture Degree Requirements
Credit hours in the 4-year Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture curriculum are distributed as follows:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core 34 General Education | 34 | |
| Interior Architecture Courses | ||
| IA 205 | Professional Communications Skills | 3 |
| IA 208 | Interior Architecture Studio I | 6 |
| IA 209 | Interior Architecture Studio II | 6 |
| IA 210 | Human Factors in the Built Environment | 3 |
| IA 211 | Building Codes, Standards, and Programming | 3 |
| IA 220 | Sustainable Interior Materiality | 3 |
| IA 230 | Lighting Design and Technology | 3 |
| IA 308 | Interior Architecture Studio III | 6 |
| IA 309 | Advanced Interior Architecture Studio | 6 |
| IA 311 | Interior Construction and Detailing | 3 |
| IA 322 | Furniture Design | 3 |
| IA 342 | History and Theory of Built Environments I | 3 |
| IA 401 | Professional Internship | 2 |
| IA 408 | Design Research | 3 |
| Capstone Course | ||
| IA 409 | Integrated Interior Architecture Studio | 6 |
| Study Abroad | ||
| Architecture Study Abroad | ||
| Architecture Courses required for IA Degree | ||
| ARCH 103 | Introduction to Architecture and Interior Architecture | 3 |
| ARCH 108 | Architectural Foundations I | 6 |
| ARCH 109 | Architectural Foundations II | 6 |
| ARCH 110 | Introduction to Computing | 3 |
| ARCH 340 | Global History of Architecture I: Origins to Industrial Revolution (3500 BCE-1700 CE) | 3 |
| ARCH 530 | Environmental Systems I | 3 |
| ARCH 552 | Ethics and Leadership in Professional Practice | 3 |
| Architecture Courses required for the IA-M.Arch II Degree Path | ||
Courses below are required for the M.Arch II, but not required for IA degree, can be taken as additional credits during the IA degree. | ||
| Structures I | ||
| Environmental Systems II | ||
| Structures II | ||
| Building Technology I: Construction Systems and Assemblies | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Students must maintain a 2.0 grade-point average to remain in good standing and to graduate.
In the curriculum, students complete 45 credits of the degree requirements in interior architecture studios. Beginning with two foundational studios, the sequence of interior architecture studios gradually increases in scope, content, and complexity and includes a furniture design studio. Additionally, students complete 44 credits of the curriculum in professional lecture courses in digital technology, lighting technology, professional communication, human factors, materials and sustainability, history of architecture, interior design & furnishing, environmental systems, professional practice, and interior construction & detailing. As part of 44 credits of the curriculum, students also complete a professional internship after their third year in the summer.
In addition to the professional courses, students complete 34 of the curriculum in general education courses. These include coursework in Mathematics, English, Humanities and Arts, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences.
Portfolio Requirement
All students in the interior architecture program must maintain a record of all studio work through a semester-digital portfolio in both the 1st and 2nd year of the program. In the fall semester of third year, students must submit a cumulative and comprehensive digital portfolio for review by interior architecture faculty as well as professional interior designers.
Studio Grading Policy
Work evaluated as “satisfactory” is graded C. Work evaluated as “more than satisfactory” is graded B. Work evaluated as “exceptional” is graded A. Work evaluated as “less than satisfactory” is graded D. Work evaluated as “failing” is graded F. Information on the studio-grade appeal procedure is available in the Dean's Office.
Students receiving a grade of D in a studio in any semester are placed on notice by the department, regardless of the overall grade-point average. To be removed from this status, the student must perform satisfactory work in studios in the immediate next semester. If in any subsequent semester, the student receives another grade of D, they must repeat that studio before advancing in the program curriculum and studio sequence. If the student receives a grade of D in 2 consecutive studios, they must repeat the entire academic year in which the first D was given.
Computer Requirement
All students in the B.S. in Interior Architecture program must use a laptop or a suitable tablet in all interior architecture studios. Students must follow a checklist of minimum hardware- and software- requirements when they purchase a computer. The specifications for architectural studio computing are available here.
Substitution of Courses
A student who wishes to select certain courses not in the prescribed curriculum may submit a petition to the Curriculum Management Committee of the Architecture Department.
| Year 1 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| Core 34: English (SGE)010 | Core 34: English (SGE)010 | ||||
| MATH 101, 104, 115, 125, or 145 (Core 34: Math and Statistics (SGE)030 | 3 | ARCH 109 | 6 | ||
| ARCH 103 | 3 | ARCH 110 | 3 | ||
| ARCH 108 | 6 | PHSX 114 (Core 34: Natural and Physical Sciences (SGE))040*** | 4 | ||
| 12 | 13 | ||||
| Year 2 | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| IA 208 | 6 | IA 209 | 6 | IA 390Optional for IA Degree. Highly Recommended. | |
| IA 205 | 3 | IA 211 | 3 | ||
| IA 210 | 3 | IA 220 | 3 | ||
| Core 34: Communications (SGE)020 | 3 | IA 230 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | 0 | |||
| Year 3 | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
| IA 308 | 6 | IA 309 | 6 | IA 401only 2 credits are required | 2 |
| IA 311 | 3 | IA 310 | 3 | ||
| ARCH 340 (Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE))060** | 3 | IA 342 | 3 | ||
| ARCH 530 | 3 | Core 34: Arts and Humanities (SGE)060 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | 2 | |||
| Year 4 | |||||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | ||
| IA 322 | 3 | IA 409 (Capstone) | 6 | ||
| IA 408 | 3 | Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE)050 | 3 | ||
| ARCH 552 | 3 | Core 34: Social and Behavior Science (SGE)050 | 3 | ||
| Core 34: US Culture (SGE)070 | 3 | Core 34: Global Culture (SGE)070 | 3 | ||
| 12 | 15 | ||||
| Total Hours 114 | |||||
Note: *BS in Interior Architecture strongly recommends Study Abroad. Required for M.Arch II Degree Program.
Students intending to go into the M.Arch II program must take the following courses. In addition to these credits, six graduate-level credits taken during the spring term of their undergraduate fourth year may be waived from a student's graduate degree plan. Please consult with a graduate advisor for more information.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ARCH 531 | Environmental Systems II | 3 |
| ARCH 524 | Structures I | 3 |
| ARCH 624 | Structures II | 3 |
| ARCH 626 | Building Technology I: Construction Systems and Assemblies | 3 |
| ARCH 590 | Architecture Study Abroad | 6 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Notes:
* - This course is a Required major course and is also part of Core 34: Systemwide General Education. If this course is not taken to fulfill the Core 34:SGE requirement, it must be taken in place of elective hours.
** - This course is a Recommended Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This specific course is not required but is recommended by the program’s faculty.
*** - This course is a Required Core 34: Systemwide General Education course. This program is approved by the Kansas Board of Regents to require this specific Core 34:Systemwide General Education course. If a student did not take this course it must be taken in addition to other degree requirements.
At the completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Become leaders in the interior design profession who promote the value of interior design in the society and become agents for social change through design.
- Comprehensive undergraduate education built on methodical
- Cultivate an interdisciplinary and profession-based design education, supported by various