Units required for Major: 72
Minimum units required for BFA: 120
Program Description
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture is intended for students pursuing professional careers as interior designers/interior architects. The Program provides students with the knowledge and skills to shape interior-designed environments responsibly. Combined with the CSU General Education requirements, the breadth of courses in the program reflects the values of professional preparation grounded in a liberal arts education. The Program is one of five-degree programs offered in the Department of Design and shares a lower-division curriculum with the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Architecture Studies.
The Interior Architecture program encompasses a broader understanding of designing interior environments. Students learn both “interior” and “architectural” ways of thinking and designing as they develop the knowledge, skills, concepts, and sensitivities essential to professional life. Students are educated in architectural history/theory, interior architecture studio practice, interior construction practices, building mechanical and electrical systems, FFE research and specifications, graphic communication, and professional practice. The Program fosters an interdisciplinary approach to designing interior environments with particular attention to the design’s impact on environmental, social, and cultural systems.
A central part of interior and architecture education is the design studio, where students thoroughly examine design problems using experiential and project-based learning to prepare for the competitive rigors of the changing world they will face after graduation. Studio culture is non-competitive and supportive, emphasizing collaborative models of learning. Guest lecturers, professional panel critiques, discussions, field trips, and building tours of outstanding projects maintain strong connections to the profession. Service-learning opportunities form an important component of the curriculum.
The upper-division curriculum provides students with the design and technical skills needed to practice interior design/interior architecture and sit for the NCIDQ and/or IDEX examinations. The Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) oversees the NCIDQ Examination, which is required for interior design licensure/registration in every regulated US jurisdiction except California. The California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) oversees Interior Design Certification in California through the IDEX® California Exam.
Sacramento State is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), designated by the U.S. Department of Education as the agency responsible for the accreditation of art and design programs in the U.S.
Minimum Grade Requirement
A minimum grade of "C" or better is required in all major course requirements.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Lower Division Design Core Courses (7 Units) | ||
| DSGN 10 | Think Make | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Design and Thinking | ||
| Design and Society Since 1780 | ||
| Required Lower Division Major Courses (24 Units) | ||
| ARCH 1A | History of Architecture: Prehistory to 1800 | 3 |
| ARCH 1B | History of Architecture: 1800 to Today | 3 |
| ARCH 10 | Architectural Design Fundamentals | 3 |
| ARCH 11A | Architectural Space Planning | 3 |
| ARCH 11B | Beginning Interior and Architectural Design | 3 |
| ARCH 30 | Digital Literacy for Designers | 2 |
| ARCH 33 | Beginning AutoCAD and SketchUP | 2 |
| ARCH 36 | Beginning Revit | 2 |
| ARCH 85 | Introduction to Architecture and Interior Design Practice | 3 |
| Required Upper Division Design History (3 Units) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| American Design | ||
| Principles of House Design | ||
| Film/Design | ||
| Required Upper Division Building Systems (9 Units) | ||
| ARCH 153 | Building Regulations, Life Safety, and Accessibility | 3 |
| INTD 155 | Professional Practice I | 3 |
| INTD 157 | Interior Materials, Finishes, Products, and Systems | 3 |
| Required Upper Division Career Preparation (3 Units) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Pro Practice - Career Preparation | ||
| Professional Practice IV-Internship | ||
| Required Upper Division Graphics (4 Units) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 2 | |
| Advanced Building Information Modeling for Architecture | ||
| Advanced Building Information Modeling_ Parametric and Free-Form Modeling with Visualization | ||
| ARCH 138B | Architectural Rendering II | 2 |
| Required Upper Division Design Studios (13 Units) | ||
| INTD 180 | Capstone Interior Architecture Studio | 5 |
| Select two of the following: | 8 | |
| Intermediate Interior Architecture Design Studio - Residential | ||
| Intermediate Interior Architecture Design Studio - Commercial | ||
| Intermediate Interior Architecture Studio ¿ Hospitality | ||
| Special Topics in Contemporary Interior Architecture Practice | ||
| Required Electives (9 Units) | ||
| Complete 9 units from the following: 1 | 9 | |
| Advanced Building Information Modeling for Architecture | ||
| Advanced Building Information Modeling_ Parametric and Free-Form Modeling with Visualization | ||
| Architectural Rendering I | ||
| Introduction to Structural Concepts | ||
| MEP Systems and Building Performance Analysis | ||
| Design and Thinking | ||
| Design and Society Since 1780 | ||
| World Design and Visual Culture | ||
| Introduction to Graphic Design | ||
| History Of Graphic Design | ||
| Visual Basics | ||
| American Design | ||
| Principles of House Design | ||
| Film/Design | ||
| Interior Architecture Portfolio | ||
| Digital Photography I | ||
| Digital Photography II | ||
| The Photographic Self | ||
| Darkroom Photography | ||
| Total Units | 72 | |
- 1
Consult major advisor regarding the 9 units of required major electives. Students may not choose an elective that was used for another requirement in this degree however students may use, with prior approval, courses from related programs such as Construction Management, Real Estate, etc.
General Education Requirements1
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Area 1: English Communication (9 Units) | ||
| 1A - English Composition | 3 | |
| 1B - Critical Thinking 2 | 3 | |
| 1C - Oral Communication | 3 | |
| Area 2: Mathematical Concepts and Quantitative Reasoning (3 Units) | ||
| Area 2 Course - Lower Division | 3 | |
| Area 3: The Arts and Humanities (6 Units) | ||
| 3A - Arts | 3 | |
| 3B - Humanities 3 | 3 | |
| Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 Units) | ||
| Area 4 Course -Lower Division 3 | 3 | |
| Area 4 Course - Lower Division | 3 | |
| Area 5: Physical and Biological Sciences (7 Units) | ||
| 5A - Physical Science | 3 | |
| 5B - Biological Science | 3 | |
| 5C - Laboratory (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: 5A or 5B) | 1 | |
| Area 6: Ethnic Studies (3 Units) | ||
| Area 6 Course | 3 | |
| Upper Division Courses: (9 Units) | ||
| Area 3 Course - Upper Division | 3 | |
| Area 4 Course - Upper Division | 3 | |
| Area 2 OR Area 5 Course - Upper Division | 3 | |
| Total Units | 43 | |
- 1
To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.
Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.
- 2
Required in Major; also satisfies GE.
Graduation Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (9 Units) | ||
| American Institutions: U.S. History | 3 | |
| American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government | 3 | |
| Writing Intensive (WI) | 3 | |
| Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (12 Units) | ||
| English Composition II | 3 | |
| Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE) | 3 | |
| Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 2 | 6 | |
The following roadmaps are sample planning resources. Please consult your academic advisor and Academic Catalog for graduation requirements as you develop your individualized academic plan.
Interior Architecture, BFA: 4-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| DSGN 4 or DSGN 20 |
Design and Thinking 3 or Design and Society Since 1780 |
3 |
| DSGN 10 | Think Make | 4 |
| GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 2 - Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ARCH 10 | Architectural Design Fundamentals | 3 |
| ARCH 30 | Digital Literacy for Designers | 2 |
| ARCH 85 | Introduction to Architecture and Interior Design Practice | 3 |
| GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5B - Biological Science 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ARCH 1A | History of Architecture: Prehistory to 1800 | 3 |
| ARCH 11A | Architectural Space Planning | 3 |
| ARCH 33 | Beginning AutoCAD and SketchUP | 2 |
| GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 | 3 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ARCH 1B | History of Architecture: 1800 to Today | 3 |
| ARCH 11B | Beginning Interior and Architectural Design | 3 |
| ARCH 36 | Beginning Revit | 2 |
| GE Area 5A - Physical Science 2 | 3 | |
| GE Area 5C - Laboratory 2 | 1 | |
| Second Semester Composition 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| INTD 110A |
Intermediate Interior Architecture Design Studio - Residential or Intermediate Interior Architecture Design Studio - Commercial or Intermediate Interior Architecture Studio ¿ Hospitality or Special Topics in Contemporary Interior Architecture Practice |
4 |
| INTD 185 | Pro Practice - Career Preparation | 3 |
| INTD 155 | Professional Practice I | 3 |
| ARCH 136A or Major Elective 3 | 2 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| ARCH 136B or ARCH 138B |
Advanced Building Information Modeling_ Parametric and Free-Form Modeling with Visualization or Architectural Rendering II |
2 |
| INTD 110B |
Intermediate Interior Architecture Design Studio - Commercial or Intermediate Interior Architecture Design Studio - Residential or Intermediate Interior Architecture Studio ¿ Hospitality or Special Topics in Contemporary Interior Architecture Practice |
4 - 5 |
| INTD 157 | Interior Materials, Finishes, Products, and Systems | 3 |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 16-17 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ARCH 153 | Building Regulations, Life Safety, and Accessibility | 3 |
| INTD 124A |
American Design or Principles of House Design or Film/Design |
3 |
| INTD 180 | Capstone Interior Architecture Studio | 5 |
| Major Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities + Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Major Elective or ARCH 138B 3 | 2 | |
| Major Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Major Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences + American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Total Units | 122-123 | |
Interior Architecture, BFA: 2-Year Roadmap
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Units | |
| INTD 110A |
Intermediate Interior Architecture Design Studio - Residential or Intermediate Interior Architecture Design Studio - Commercial or Intermediate Interior Architecture Studio ¿ Hospitality or Special Topics in Contemporary Interior Architecture Practice |
4 |
| INTD 185 | Pro Practice - Career Preparation | 3 |
| INTD 155 | Professional Practice I | 3 |
| ARCH 136A or Major Elective 3 | 2 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 1 2 | 4 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| INTD 110B |
Intermediate Interior Architecture Design Studio - Commercial or Intermediate Interior Architecture Design Studio - Residential or Intermediate Interior Architecture Studio ¿ Hospitality or Special Topics in Contemporary Interior Architecture Practice |
4 |
| INTD 157 | Interior Materials, Finishes, Products, and Systems | 3 |
| ARCH 136B or Major Elective 3 | 2 | |
| Foreign Language Semester 2 2 | 4 | |
| GR American Institutions (US History) 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| First Semester | ||
| ARCH 153 | Building Regulations, Life Safety, and Accessibility | 3 |
| INTD 124A |
American Design or Principles of House Design or Film/Design |
3 |
| INTD 180 | Capstone Interior Architecture Studio | 5 |
| Major Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities + Writing Intensive 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 17 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Major Elective or ARCH 138B 3 | 2 | |
| Major Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Major Elective 3 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences + American Institutions (GOVT) 2 | 3 | |
| Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 | 3 | |
| Units | 14 | |
| Total Units | 63 | |
- 1.
Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second or a later semester.
- 2.
Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.
- 3.
Please see an academic advisor for elective options.