Interior Architecture, B.S. < West Virginia University

Degree Offered

Nature of the Program

In response to professional industry trends, the Interior Architecture program has been expanded to include coursework in building and construction systems with an updated major name (it was formerly called Interior Design).  Graduates still practice interior design but now have a wider range of skills. The program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice and meets the education requirement for National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) certification.  NCIDQ certification is the basic credential required by most states that license interior design/interior architecture professionals. In addition to an educational requirement, NCIDQ certification requires the completion of two years of professional practice as an interior designer and passing the NCIDQ examination.

In addition to all major requirements, BS Interior Architecture students are required to take either a 3-hour approved summer study-abroad credit through a WVU authorized program or a 3-hour summer internship of at least 120 hours.  Normally, this credit is taken the summer after the third year. Students must maintain a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Major courses must be taken sequentially and students must earn a C- or higher in all ID courses. See further details about program standards and progression on the Policies tab.

Program Opportunities

In addition to study abroad and/or internships, students have opportunities to enroll in courses associated with Interior Architecture’s allied programs. Courses in product design, sustainability, landscape architecture, and global economies are regularly offered, and a minor in Sustainable Design is available.  Other common minors include Landscape Studies, Entrepreneurship, Event Planning, Marketing, Studio Art, and Strategic Social Media.

Admissions for 2026-2027

First-Time Freshmen are admitted directly into the major.

Students transferring from another major within WVU are directly admitted into the major as a first year student if they are in good academic standing (2.0 or higher GPA), or with departmental approval.  

Students transferring from another institution are directly admitted into the major as a first year student if they are in good academic standing (2.0 or higher GPA), or with departmental approval.  Students who have design courses from other institutions and who wish to transfer directly into the second year must submit to the Interior Architecture program coordinator the following: complete transcript, syllabi of design courses, portfolio showing coursework from previous design courses, and completion of the Gateway Project.  Admission into the second year is contingent upon available space and evaluation of the submitted materials.

Interior Architecture Major Code: 3722

General Education Foundations

Please use this link to view a list of courses that meet each GEF requirement.

NOTE: Some major requirements will fulfill specific GEF requirements. Please see the curriculum requirements listed below for details on which GEFs you will need to select.

Please note that not all of the GEF courses are offered at all campuses. Students should consult with their advisor or academic department regarding the GEF course offerings available at their campus.

Degree Requirements

University Requirements

Interior Architecture Major Requirements

Major Learning Outcomes

Interior Architecture

Interior designers create architectural interiors that improve inhabitants’ quality of life and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. Upon graduation from the interior design program at WVU, students will be able to demonstrate entry-level professional competencies that include:

• applying the elements and principles of design to the analysis and development of architectural interiors;
• understanding relationships between architecture, architectural interiors, interior artifacts, and the human condition – through historical, theoretical, social, and scientific lenses;
• utilizing hand and computer drawing and modeling technologies, techniques and conventions in the study, visualization, and presentation of architectural interiors;
• selecting and integrating appropriate building materials and construction assemblies; building systems; finishes, furnishings & equipment (FFE); and codes during the design of architectural interiors;
• understanding professional and ethical responsibilities, opportunities, and constraints associated with interior design practices.

These competencies are introduced in both design studio and lecture courses and are developed and expanded incrementally along the curriculum. The holistic integration and synthesis of these competencies in the design of architectural interiors are centered in design studio courses which are rigorous laboratories and typically have a high number of contact/meeting hours in relation to credit hours.

Maintaining Good Standing

The interior architecture program is a competitive access major with required sequential studio course offerings in interior design. Three (3) qualifying courses must be taken in the first year of study. These are:

• ID 105S Introduction to Interior Architecture, 3 credit hours (Fall Semester) 
• ID 115S Introduction to Architectural Design & Graphics, 4 credit hours (Fall Semester) 
• ID 165S Architecture & Design Foundations, 4 credit hours (Spring Semester)

To continue in the major beyond the first year, students must successfully complete all three courses with a grade of C- or higher. Additionally, in order to become eligible for selection to continue in the second year, a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 must be earned in the first-year qualifying courses.

If more than twenty students apply to move forward into the second year, only the top twenty students will be allowed to continue in the major. The top twenty students will be determined based upon:

• Cumulative GPA ranking in the first year qualifying courses
• Performance in the Gateway Project conducted at the end of the first year. This is a two-hour common design challenge presented to all first year interior architecture students at the end of the second semester.
• Overall GPA
• A Faculty Interview, if requested by the faculty (Fall Semester) 

As students progress in the major, GPAs will be monitored each semester. Any student who has an ID GPA below 2.0 will be notified of the deficiency and will have one semester to raise their ID GPA to 2.0 or above. Students who do not raise their ID GPA to 2.0 or above after one semester may not be permitted to enroll again in interior design courses.

Students are required to earn at least a C- in all ID courses.

Typically, only one section of each interior architecture course is offered annually.  Therefore, needing to repeat a studio course adds one year to the student's college career.

Computer Expectation Policy

All students are expected to have, upon the first day of the ID 115S course (typically in the fall of 1st year), a computer that meets the Interior Architecture program's hardware and software specifications. These specifications are updated annually for incoming first year students and published online by the end of May. Please consult this page for a full copy of the current computer requirements.

Internships and Studying Abroad

Graduation from the Interior Architecture program requires 3 credits (ID 401) in an approved summer, three-week, WVU-authorized study abroad program or 3 credits (ID 400) through an approved summer internship of at least 120 hours. These credits should be taken in the summer after the third year.