The Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Architecture is a four-year professional program accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). The program develops students' creativity in the design and planning of interior spaces by emphasizing the process and communication of design. Students learn the art of design, drawing from physical and social sciences to understand the interaction of people and their environment, along with the history of design. Insight into professional practice is enhanced through internship experiences.
Design Studies faculty are leading scholars in design research with design industry experience developing innovative and creative spaces. Students benefit from faculty’s expertise, mentoring, and industry connections.
Through classroom learning, hands-on projects, and internships, students develop verbal and visual communication skills while gaining exposure to both residential and commercial interiors. The program has a competitive admissions process that involves two phases.
Coursework includes everything related to the design process and products, including environment-behavior studies, sketching, rendering, computer drafting and design, 3D modeling, art and art history, business, and engineering. Studio spaces, a resource center containing catalogs and samples, plus a digital fabrication lab and computer laboratory provide physical support for the Interior Architecture student experience.
In preparation for graduation, students develop a professional portfolio to demonstrate their expertise and creativity.
How to Get in
Current UW–Madison Students
Current UW-Madison students declaring Pre-Interior Architecture
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | No application required. All students who meet the requirements listed below are able to declare. For information on how to declare, see: https://go.wisc.edu/sohe-declare. |
| Courses required to get in | None. |
| GPA requirements to get in |
|
| Credits required to get in | None. |
| Other | Must be in good academic standing with their current school or college. |
Pre-Interior Architecture students applying to Interior Architecture
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | Application required. Meeting the requirements listed below does not guarantee admission.(https://go.wisc.edu/sohe-apply) |
| Courses required to get in | |
| GPA requirements to get in | None. |
| Credits required to get in | None. |
| Other | In the case that student interest for spring courses exceeds course capacity, student ranking in fall courses (DS 120, DS 221, and DS 252) and academic performance will be used to determine priority enrollment in the required spring courses. Enrollment in spring courses is not guaranteed and may be limited by permission based on class rankings and academic performance. |
| Semester | Deadline to apply | Decision notification timeline |
|---|---|---|
| To apply for a fall start | Application opens during the latter half of the spring semester and close in late April. | Decisions will be made once the spring coursework is completed. |
| To apply for a spring start | This program does not accept applications to start in the spring. | |
| To apply for a summer start | This program does not accept applications to start in the summer. |
Additional Information
Transfer students may take longer to complete their degree than students entering the program as freshmen, as they too must complete the Courses required to get in, which contain specialized courses that must be taken sequentially.
There are typically 32 available spots each application cycle. This is an industry standard to ensure appropriate student to faculty ratio.
Upon acceptance into the major students must purchase a laptop computer based on minimum hardware specification and software licenses determined by the department and updated regularly. Students also have the option, but are not required, to purchase a laptop computer before acceptance into the program.
Prospective UW-Madison Students
All prospective UW–Madison students must apply through the central Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
Freshmen should declare their intention to pursue the interior architecture major when they apply for admission to UW–Madison. In addition, students may indicate interest in the interior architecture major when registering for Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR).
University General Education Requirements
All undergraduate students at the University of Wisconsin–Madison are required to fulfill a minimum set of common university general education requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of an undergraduate education. This core establishes a foundation for living a productive life, being a citizen of the world, appreciating aesthetic values, and engaging in lifelong learning in a continually changing world. Various schools and colleges will have requirements in addition to the requirements listed below. Consult your advisor for assistance, as needed. For additional information, see the university Undergraduate General Education Requirements section of the Guide.
| General Education |
* The mortarboard symbol appears before the title of any course that fulfills one of the Communication Part A or Part B, Ethnic Studies, or Quantitative Reasoning Part A or Part B requirements. |
School of Human Ecology Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Arts and Humanities | ||
| Literature | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | 3 | |
| Dimensions of Material Culture | ||
| Humanities | 3 | |
| Social Science | 9 | |
| Physical, Biological and Natural Science | 9 | |
| Human Ecology Breadth | 3 | |
Select one Human Ecology course from CNSR SCI, CSCS, HDFS, or INTER-HE. Design Studies (DS) courses in the area of Textiles Fashion Design may also be completed. | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Interior Architecture Requirements
A complete list of requirements is below. Students should follow the curriculum requirements in place at the time they entered the major. This requirement list should be used in combination with a DARS report.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Phase One: Design Core | ||
| DS 120 | Design: Fundamentals I | 3 |
| DS 220 | Design: Fundamentals II | 3 |
| DS 221 | Person and Environment Interactions | 3 |
| DS 140 | Visual Thinking - Form and Space | 3 |
| DS 252 | Design Leadership Symposium | 1 |
| Phase Two: Professional Course Sequence | ||
| Interior Architecture Studio Core | ||
| DS 222 | Interior Design I | 4 |
| DS 322 | Interior Design II | 4 |
| DS 622 | Interior Design III | 4 |
| DS 623 | Interior Design IV | 4 |
| DS 626 | Interior Design V | 4 |
| Content Area Courses | ||
| DS 223 | Interior Architectural Design | 3 |
| DS 224 | Interior Materials and Finishes | 3 |
| DS 241 | Visual Communication I | 3 |
| DS 242 | Visual Communication II | 3 |
| DS 321 | Problem-definition: Design Programming | 3 |
| DS 421 | History of Architecture and Interiors I: Antiquity through 18th Century | 3 |
| DS 422 | History of Architecture & Interiors II: 19th and 20th Centuries | 3 |
| DS 451 | Color Theory and Technology | 3 |
| DS 549 | Environmental Control Systems: Lighting, Acoustics, and Thermal Comfort in Buildings | 3 |
| DS 624 | Interior Architecture Professional Practice | 3 |
| DS 679 | Research Methods in Design | 3 |
| Professional Development | ||
| INTER-HE 202 | SoHE Career & Leadership Development | 1 |
| DS 601 | Internship | 3 |
| Design Focus 1 | 6 | |
Select 6 credits in consultation with your Human Ecology academic advisor. | ||
| Electives | ||
Select electives to meet minimum total of 120 degree credits | ||
- 1
Design Focus courses are intended to be an opportunity for students to develop more depth and uniqueness to their course of study. See Design Focus course list below. Please work with your Human Ecology academic advisor to seek approval for coursework taken outside of Design Studies.
Design Focus course list
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DS 101 | Introduction to Textile Design | 3 |
| DS 227 | Textile Design: Printing and Dyeing I | 3 |
| DS 251 | Textile Science | 3 |
| DS 252 | Design Leadership Symposium (May be taken twice) | 1 |
| DS/ANTHRO/ART HIST/HISTORY/LAND ARC 264 | Dimensions of Material Culture | 4 |
| DS 341 | Design Thinking for Transformation | 3 |
| DS 361 | Design-Related International Experience | 1-6 |
| DS 501 | Special Topics (offerings vary by semester) | 1-3 |
| DS/COMP SCI/I SY E 518 | Wearable Technology | 3 |
| DS 521 | Environments of Crisis & Design | 3 |
| DS 527 | Global Artisans | 3 |
| DS 561 | Textiles: Specifications and End Use Analysis | 3 |
| DS/COMP SCI 579 | Virtual Reality | 3 |
| DS/LAND ARC 639 | Culture and Built Environment | 3 |
University Degree Requirements
| Total Degree | To receive a bachelor's degree from UW–Madison, students must earn a minimum of 120 degree credits. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 degree credits. Students should consult with their college or department advisor for information on specific credit requirements. |
| Residency | Degree candidates are required to earn a minimum of 30 credits in residence at UW–Madison. "In residence" means on the UW–Madison campus with an undergraduate degree classification. “In residence” credit also includes UW–Madison courses offered in distance or online formats and credits earned in UW–Madison Study Abroad/Study Away programs. |
| Quality of Work | Undergraduate students must maintain the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, or academic program to remain in good academic standing. Students whose academic performance drops below these minimum thresholds will be placed on academic probation. |
Learning Outcomes
- Grounded in the history and theory relevant to the built environment and human behavior.
- Intellectual skills for inquiry, creative thinking, and critical analysis.
- Professional skills that prepare them for applying what they have learned to create new knowledge and solve problems in a real world setting.
- Apply the design process to identify and explore complex problems and generate creative solutions that optimize the human experience within the interior environment. This includes the ability to apply research and the principles and theories of Design to their solutions.
- Apply their knowledge of building materials and systems, building construction, and industry specific codes, standards and guidelines in order to enhance the health, safety, welfare and performance of building occupants.
Four-Year Plan
This is a sample four-year plan for Interior Architecture. We encourage all students to consult with their academic advisor to develop an individualized plan that meets their specific needs.
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| Communications A | 3 | Communications B | 3-4 | ||
| Ethnic Studies | 3 | Quantitative Reasoning A | 3-4 | ||
| Science | 3 | DS 220 | 3 | ||
| DS 120 | 3 | ART HIST/ANTHRO/DS/HISTORY/LAND ARC 264 or DS 264 | 4 | ||
| DS 221 | 3 | DS 140 | 3 | ||
| DS 252 | 1 | ||||
| 16 | 16-18 | ||||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| DS 222 | 4 | DS 322 | 4 | ||
| DS 224 | 3 | DS 242 | 3 | ||
| DS 241 | 3 | DS 422 | 3 | ||
| Science | 3 | INTER-HE 202 | 1 | ||
| DS 421 | 3 | Social Science | 3 | ||
| 16 | 14 | ||||
| Junior | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| DS 223 | 3 | DS 623 | 4 | DS 601 | 3 |
| DS 321 | 3 | DS 549 | 3 | ||
| DS 622 | 4 | DS 624 | 3 | ||
| Design Focus | 3 | DS 679 | 3 | ||
| Literature | 3 | ||||
| 16 | 13 | 3 | |||
| Senior | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| DS 626 | 4 | Humanities | 3 | ||
| DS 451 | 3 | Social Science | 3 | ||
| Design Focus | 3 | Science | 3 | ||
| Social Science | 3 | Elective | 4 | ||
| 13 | 13 | ||||
| Total Credits 120-122 | |||||
Advising and Careers
Advising & Career Center
The Advising & Career Center (ACC) fosters undergraduate students' personal, academic, and professional development. Through advising, academic planning, and career education, we support students as they navigate the college experience—from exploring our majors as prospective students to becoming Human Ecology alumni.
Academic Advising
Each Human Ecology student is assigned to an academic advisor in the Advising & Career Center. Human Ecology academic advisors support academic and personal success by partnering with current and prospective Human Ecology students as they identify and clarify their educational goals, develop meaningful academic plans, and pursue their own Wisconsin Experience.
To explore academic advising resources or schedule an appointment with an academic advisor, visit Advising in Human Ecology.
Career Development
Each Human Ecology student is assigned to a career advisor in the Advising & Career Center. Active engagement in the career development process is a vital component of a student’s personal growth in college and future success as a lifelong learner, professional, and global citizen. Human Ecology career advisors help prepare students for life post-graduation through individual and group advising and integration of career readiness throughout our curriculum.
To explore career development resources or schedule an appointment with a Human Ecology career advisor, visit Career Development.
People
For more information, visit the School of Human Ecology Design Studies faculty and staff directory.
Wisconsin Experience
Internships
Internships are a vital part of student career development and a highly valued component of the undergraduate curriculum in the School of Human Ecology. High-quality internships foster student development by bringing theories and classroom-based learning to life in real-world settings. In addition, internships give students the opportunity to explore careers related to their major, gain relevant experience in their field(s) of interest, and develop a better understanding of what is expected in a workplace by performing the tasks of a professional in that field.
For Human Ecology majors, internships are a requirement of our undergraduate curriculum. Students must have at least a junior standing (54+ credits) in order to pursue a 3-credit internship and must complete a minimum of 150 hours at the internship site. To be eligible, an internship must be educational in nature, directly relate to a student’s major and career goals, and be approved by the Advising & Career Center.
For some Human Ecology majors, additional course prerequisites may be required. For more information, visit Human Ecology Internships.
Student Organizations
School of Human Ecology student organizations include:
- Apparel and Textile Association (ATA)
- Community & Nonprofit Leaders (CNPL) of UW–Madison
- Financial Occupations Club for University Students (FOCUS)
- Interior Design Organization (IDO)
- Phi Upsilon Omicron (National Honor Society in Family and Consumer Sciences)
- Re-Wear It
- School of Human Ecology Makerspace Organization (SoHE Makerspace)
- Student Retail Association (SRA)
For more information about joining a Human Ecology student organization, please visit Human Ecology Student Organizations.
Learn more about UW–Madison registered student organizations through the Wisconsin Involvement Network.
Resources and Scholarships
Advising & Career Center
The Advising & Career Center (ACC) fosters undergraduate students' personal, academic, and professional development. Through advising, academic planning, and career education, we support students as they navigate the college experience—from exploring our majors as prospective students to becoming Human Ecology alumni.
Academic Advising
Each Human Ecology student is assigned to an academic advisor in the Advising & Career Center. Human Ecology academic advisors support academic and personal success by partnering with current and prospective Human Ecology students as they identify and clarify their educational goals, develop meaningful academic plans, and pursue their own Wisconsin Experience.
To explore academic advising resources or schedule an appointment with an academic advisor, visit Advising in Human Ecology.
Career Development
Each Human Ecology student is assigned to a career advisor in the Advising & Career Center. Active engagement in the career development process is a vital component of a student’s personal growth in college and future success as a lifelong learner, professional, and global citizen. Human Ecology career advisors help prepare students for life post-graduation through advising and integration of career readiness throughout our curriculum.
To explore career development resources or schedule an appointment with a Human Ecology career advisor, visit Career Development.
Scholarships and Other Financial Resources
The School of Human Ecology awards many merit and need-based scholarships each year. Students can learn more about these opportunities on the Human Ecology scholarships webpage. To be eligible for these awards, scholarship recipients must be registered as full-time Human Ecology students. For further questions on the scholarship application, please contact the School of Human Ecology Scholarship Coordinator at scholarships@sohe.wisc.edu.
Students who experience personal challenges or emergency financial situations may inquire about the availability of short-term loans with the Human Ecology Academic Deans (deansservices@sohe.wisc.edu). In addition, university scholarships, loans, and employment are available through the Office of Student Financial Aid (333 East Campus Mall #9701; 608-262-3060).
Accreditation
Council for Interior Design Accreditation
Accreditation status: Accredited. Next accreditation review: 2030.