Interior Design BS

Major: Interior Design
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 187.0
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 50.0408
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code:
27-1025

About the Program

The undergraduate Interior Design program explores the behavioral, technological, environmental, and aesthetic aspects of interior design within the context of increasingly more complex design projects. Combined with art and art history, and general education requirements, a core of interior design courses creates a unique education at the forefront of design. Through academics grounded in problem-solving design studios, cooperative employment, and a dedicated faculty, the Interior Design program prepares students for leadership positions in the industry. The Interior Design program is consistently ranked among the top programs in the country and in the survey by DesignIntelligence of "America's Best Design Schools."

The BS in Interior Design program is CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation) and NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art & Design) accredited. 

Program Philosophy and Mission

The mission of the Interior Design program is to prepare students to enter the field of interior design as skilled designers, creative thinkers, professional leaders, and responsible citizens. We cultivate students who acknowledge their responsibilities to the safety and well-being of the public and the stewardship of the environment to lead a multifaceted profession in an ever-changing world. The curriculum combines a studio-based design sequence with broad liberal arts study and experiential learning. Paired with a well-established professional co-op, the coursework is structured to build upon the fundamentals of interior design and to anticipate and reflect change in a continually evolving industry. The program encourages exploration and experimentation that fosters lifelong learners who will contribute to the profession and the discipline’s body of knowledge.

Additional Information

For more information about this program, visit the College's Interior Design webpage.

Degree Requirements 

General Education requirements
CIVC 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
MATH 101Introduction to Analysis I4.0
PHYS 175Light and Sound3.0
PHYS 176Computational Lab for Light and Sound1.0
SOC 101Introduction to Sociology3.0
UNIV A101The Drexel Experience2.0
Required Arts and Humanities-students elect a minimum of 9.0 credits **9.0
Required Natural Science-students elect a minimum of 3.0 credits ***3.0
Required Social Science-students elect a minimum of 6.0 credits 6.0
Free electives24.0
Art & Design History requirements
ARCH 141Architecture and Society I3.0
ARCH 142Architecture and Society II3.0
ARCH 143Architecture and Society III3.0
ARTH 103History of Art III3.0
Visual Studies requirements
VSST 101Design I4.0
VSST 102Design II4.0
VSST 103Design III4.0
VSST 110Introductory Drawing3.0
VSST 203Multimedia: Materials4.0
VSST 301Painting I4.0
VSST 311Sculpture I4.0
Interior Design requirements
INTR 160Visualization I: Computer Imaging3.0
INTR 211Textiles for Interiors3.0
INTR 220Visualization II: Orthographic3.0
INTR 225Environmental Design Theory3.0
INTR 241Visualization III: Digital3.0
INTR 322Interior Studio I4.0
INTR 323Interior Studio II4.0
INTR 245Visualization IV: 3D Modeling3.0
INTR 250Interior Materials3.0
INTR 300 [WI] Visual Culture: Interiors3.0
INTR 305 [WI] Visual Culture: Furniture3.0
INTR 331Residential Design Studio4.0
INTR 341Visualization V: Methods3.0
INTR 342Hospitality Design Studio4.0
INTR 350Interior Detailing3.0
INTR 351Interior Lighting3.0
INTR 430Commercial Design Studio4.0
INTR 440Health & Wellness ID Studio4.0
INTR 441Furniture Design4.0
INTR 445Contract Documentation for Interior Design3.0
INTR 450 [WI] Professional Practice3.0
INTR 451Interior Systems3.0
INTR 491Senior Project I3.0
INTR 492Senior Project II3.0
INTR 493Senior Project III3.0
Total Credits187.0
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

Select 9.0 credits from 100-499 level courses, including T380, T480 in AFAS, ARCH, ARTH, COM, DANC, ENGL, FMST, GST, HIST, INTR, IST, JWST, LANG, LING, MENA, MUSC, PHIL, PHTO, PPE, PBHL, RELS, SCRP, THTR, TVST, VSCM, WGST, WRIT

***

Select 3.0 credits from 100-499 level courses in ANAT, ENVS, PHEV, BIO, GEO, PHYS, CHEM, NFS (must take NFS 100 +NFS 101 to earn credit)

Select 6.0 credits from from 100-499 level courses, including T380, T480 in AFAS, ANTH, CJS, CS, ECON, ENSS, ENVS, PSCI, PSY, PBHL, SOC, WGST

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plans of Study 

4 year, 1 coop (Fall/Winter)

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ARCH 1413.0ARCH 1423.0ARCH 1433.0VACATION
ENGL 101 or 1113.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0CIVC 1011.0 
MATH 1014.0UNIV A1011.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
UNIV A1011.0VSST 1024.0INTR 1603.0 
VSST 1014.0VSST 1103.0VSST 1034.0 
 Arts & Humanities elective3.0Free elective3.0 
 15 17 17 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ARTH 1033.0COOP 101*1.0INTR 2113.0INTR 2453.0
INTR 2203.0INTR 2413.0INTR 3314.0INTR 3003.0
INTR 2253.0INTR 3053.0INTR 3413.0INTR 3424.0
INTR 2503.0INTR 3234.0Natural Science elective3.0INTR 3503.0
INTR 3224.0PHYS 1753.0Social Science elective3.0VSST 301 or 3114.0
 PHYS 1761.0  
 SOC 1013.0  
 16 18 16 17
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCEINTR 3513.0Arts & Humanities elective3.0
  INTR 4304.0Free electives9.0
  INTR 4513.0Social Science elective3.0
  VSST 2034.0 
  Arts & Humanities elective3.0 
 0 0 17 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
INTR 4404.0INTR 4453.0INTR 4414.0 
INTR 4913.0INTR 4503.0INTR 4933.0 
Free elective3.0INTR 4923.0Free elective3.0 
VSST 311 or 3014.0Free elective3.0Free elective3.0 
 14 12 13 
Total Credits 187
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

4 year, 1 coop (Spring/Summer)

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ARCH 1413.0ARCH 1423.0ARCH 1433.0VACATION
ENGL 101 or 1113.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0CIVC 1011.0 
MATH 1014.0UNIV A1011.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
UNIV A1011.0VSST 1024.0INTR 1603.0 
VSST 1014.0VSST 1103.0VSST 1034.0 
 Arts & Humanities elective3.0Free elective3.0 
 15 17 17 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ARTH 1033.0COOP 101*1.0INTR 2113.0INTR 2453.0
INTR 2203.0INTR 2413.0INTR 3314.0INTR 3003.0
INTR 2253.0INTR 3053.0INTR 3413.0INTR 3424.0
INTR 2503.0INTR 3234.0Natural Science elective3.0INTR 3503.0
INTR 3224.0PHYS 1753.0Social Science elective3.0VSST 2034.0
 PHYS 1761.0  
 SOC 1013.0  
 16 18 16 17
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
INTR 3513.0INTR 4414.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
INTR 4304.0Arts & Humanities elective3.0  
INTR 4513.0Free electives6.0  
Free elective3.0Social Science elective3.0  
VSST 301 or 3114.0   
 17 16 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
INTR 4404.0INTR 4453.0INTR 4933.0 
INTR 4913.0INTR 4503.0Arts & Humanities elective3.0 
VSST 311 or 3014.0INTR 4923.0Free electives6.0 
Free elective3.0Free elective3.0  
 14 12 12 
Total Credits 187
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major. 

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

Co-op/Career Opportunities

Interior design is a multi-faceted field and includes careers with interior design firms, architectural firms, and facilities management organizations; in governmental agencies; and in the furniture and textile industries. Full-time paid employment in the profession is an integral component of the program at Drexel. The six-month co-operative education, undertaken in the junior year, provides project-based experience as well as the daily operation of a design firm. Students may opt to do their co-op in Philadelphia or in another location of their choosing. Through a required course and career advisement services offered by the Steinbright Career Development Center, students develop the ability to market themselves and obtain jobs in leading firms worldwide. 

Co-op Experiences

Some past co-op employers of Interior Design students include:

  • Ballinger 
  • CCCS International
  • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Facilities
  • D2 Groups, Inc.
  • D&Q Decor
  • D.L. Milner, Inc.
  • Daroff Design
  • DAS
  • Design East, Inc.
  • Design Works, LLC
  • Disney
  • Dyer Brown
  • Eberlein Design Consultants
  • Ewing Cole
  • Floss Barber Inc.
  • Fury Design, Inc.
  • Gardner/Fox
  • Gensler
  • HBA International
  • Hillier Lewis
  • Herman Miller
  • HOK
  • Jacobs Engineering Group
  • Jennifer Stoner Interiors
  • Knoll International
  • KSD Architects
  • L2 Partridge
  • Marguerite Rogers
  • Millesime
  • NBBJ Architecture PLLC
  • NELSON
  • Office Works
  • Perkins Eastman
  • Polisena Construction, Inc.
  • Princeton University
  • RJMJ
  • SGRA Architects
  • Shanghai I.P.C. Interior Design and Construction Company
  • Stantec
  • TPG Architecture
  • University of Pennsylvania 
  • West Chester University 
  • Wolf Creek Investment Management
  • WPL Interior Design

Visit the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center webpage for more detailed information on co-op and post-graduate opportunities.

Facilities

The Interior Design and Interior Architecture & Design programs are housed in URBN Center, an original Venturi Scott Brown building enhanced by an award-winning retrofit by MS&R Design, which includes a skylight-covered atrium, exposed beams, and open spaces. There are dedicated 24-hour undergraduate and graduate student studios with storage space, computers, and a small lounge area. We have a materials library that is continually updated with samples from major manufacturers and local design offices and showrooms; two computer labs and in-house printing for the use of our students; a Hybrid Making Lab with laser cutters, 3-D printers, a CNC router, and small-scale power tools for student use; additionally, a large shop facility which offers wood, metal, casting, CNC, and fabrication equipment.

The URBN Annex houses a black box theater, screening room, and the Leonard Pearlstein Gallery. Additional studio and classroom space in the Academic Building and the Design Arts Annex accommodate photography, basic design, painting, sculpture, and a full woodworking shop, including metal, resin, casting, CNC, and fabrication equipment with industrial-quality equipment. 

Philadelphia, one of the nation's major design centers and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, gives interior design students the vitality of the contemporary arts at local galleries and easy access to many museums, libraries, and renowned buildings, as well as design centers located in Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington, D.C.

Program Level Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to:

  • Have a global view and consider social, cultural, and economic contexts in all aspects of their work.
  • Effectively collaborate and participate in interdisciplinary teams.
  • Understand the principles, processes, and responsibilities that define the profession and the value of interior design to society.
  • Apply knowledge of human experience and behavior to designing the built environment.
  • Employ all aspects of the design process to creatively solve a design problem.
  • Express ideas effectively and be good communicators.
  • Apply knowledge about the history of interiors, architecture, decorative arts, and art when solving design problems.
  • Effectively apply elements and principles of design.
  • Effectively apply principles and theories of light and color in relation to environmental impact and human wellbeing.
  • Produce complete design solutions that integrate furnishings, products, materials, and finishes.
  • Effectively apply the principles of acoustics, thermal comfort, indoor air quality, plumbing systems, and waste management in relation to environmental impact and human wellbeing.
  • Understand interior construction and its interrelationship with base building construction and systems.
  • Apply laws, codes, standards, and guidelines that impact human experience of interior spaces.

Interiors Faculty

William Mangold, NCIDQ, M.Phil (City University of New York). Assistant Professor.
M. Marie Mastrobattista, NCIDQ, IDEC, IIDA, LEED, GA, MS (Drexel University). Assistant Teaching Professor. Senior living, affordable housing, residential, educational and commercial design.
Marjan Miri, MID, MS (University of Texas at Austin; Science & Research University, Hamedan, Iran). Associate Professor. Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Artificial Intelligence in Design.
Kimberly Montes-Bacon, BFA, MS (Drexel University). Instructor. Community Engagement, Civic Engagement, Residential, Early Educational Design, Non-Profit Founder & Space and time Artist.
Daniel B. Newman, Assoc. AIA, LEED GA, MArch (Parsons, The New School for Design). Instructor. Interior exhibition design for cultural institutions. Design for interactive spaces and responsive surfaces. Architectural drawing and representation.
Diana S. Nicholas, RA, AIA, NCARB, MFA (University of the Arts, Philadelphia) Director of MS Design Research, Coordinator, Sustainability in the Built Environment Minor. Associate Professor. Coordinator, Sustainability in the Built Environment Researching Health in residential urban environment and interprofessional collaboration
Debra Ruben, NCIDQ, IDEC, LEED AP, MS (Drexel University) Associate Dean Academic and Faculty Affairs. Associate Professor. Interior design, research; community and participatory design; playful learning.
Jihyun Song, IDEC, LEED, AP, MS, MFA (University of Wisconsin-Madison, Ewha Woman's University in Seoul). Associate Teaching Professor. Wayfinding design principles in architectural interior spaces; healthcare design; evidence-based design.
Frances Temple-West, AIA, NCARB, NCIDQ, LEED GA, MArch (Virginia Tech) Program Director of the Interiors Graduate Programs. Associate Teaching Professor. Principal, Frances Temple-West Architect; retail, corporate/commercial, and residential design
Ada Tremonte, NCIDQ, IDEC, IIDA, MS (Drexel University) Program Director for the Interior Design Undergraduate Program. Teaching Professor. Principal, a d a Design Associates, Inc.; educational and corporate/commercial design, workplace strategies.

Emeritus Faculty

Mark Brack, PhD (University of California at Berkeley). Associate Professor Emeritus. British and American architecture from 1700 to the present; Hispanic colonial architecture in the American Southwest; vernacular architecture; historic preservation.
Sylvia Clark, MArch (University of Pennsylvania). Professor Emerita.
Rena Cumby, BArch, MS (Drexel University). Associate Professor Emerita. Interior designer; foundation studies and design education.
Eugenia Ellis, PhD, AIA (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University). Professor Emerita. Natural and electrical light sources and effects on biological rhythms and health outcomes; ecological strategies for smart, sustainable buildings of the nexus of health, energy, and technology.
Marjorie Kriebel, BArch (University of Pennsylvania). Professor Emerita.