Interior Design - "WOW"

Prestigious Accreditations
The excellence of the Bachelor of Arts Degree Program in Interior Design at The University of Akron is evidenced by accreditation. The program is accredited at the professional level by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. CIDA promotes excellence in interior design education through research and the accreditation of academic programs whcih prepare interior designers to create interior environments for improving the quality of the human experience.

CIDA, an international accrediting agency, is a recognized member of the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation; they are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a reliable authority on the quality of education in the field of interior design; and they are a member of the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors.

The National Association of Schools of Art and Design has also granted institutional accreditation to the Interior Design Program. NASAD, the national accrediting agency for art and design and design-related disciplines, was established in 1944 to improve educational practices and to maintain high professional standards in art and design education. Institutional accreditation, gained only through peer review, is based on an art or design program’s demonstrated content, competence, and educational substance as applied to the preparation of art and design professionals.

Curriculum
The Interior Design Program is designed to help the student become a designer who is prepared to address the wide range of client needs. Students gain specialized knowledge which prepares them for success in the interior design field. They also gain general education skills and knowledge which are essential for meeting the complex requirements and challenges of the 21st century.

Curriculum

Course Sequencing

Faculty
The program is administered by qualified, motivated faculty who encourage faculty/student interaction and give students personal attention. A faculty advising system is provided to help with students' course selection and broader goals. Faculty have a wide range of expertise including interior design, architecture, lighting, fine arts, history, textiles, merchandising, and family life.

Internship
The interior design curriculum provides an internship experience for students at the conclusion of their third year in the program. This field experience, involving business and industry, extends students' formal education and is further preparation for completion of the capstone senior studio coursework as well as preparation for entry-level positions in interior design.

Professional Connections
Interaction with the professional community is key to the success of any education program. This Interior Design Program has an active advisory board with representatives from the profession, industry, and alumni. Students benefit from the program's good relationship with the professional community through networking and internship opportunities.

Professional Activities and Cultural Tours
Students can participate in an exciting array of cultural and professional activities. Professional meetings, presentations, and guest lecturers are offered across academic disciplines throughout the year. There have been opportunities to tour Europe, New York City, and Chicago.

Senior Showcase
Each April the Program holds this event, sponsored by the Advisory Board, which presents graduates and their work to potential employers as well as friends, family, alumni, and the public. This milestone is also good opportunity for students interested in the program to see student work and to speak with graduates.

Successful Students and Alumni
Students at The University of Akron are bright, hardworking, and highly motivated to succeed. Most have part or full-time jobs, and develop excellent time management skills due to their demanding schedules. Accordingly, the design program attracts University Honors Program students and students returning to earn a second baccalaureate degree.

Graduates of the program have obtained positions in interior design firms, architectural firms, office furniture dealerships, and firms specializing in healthcare design, retail store design, office design, residential design, kitchen and bath design, and also with manufacturers or companies in the retailing or wholesale sales of interior design products.

The University of Akron: an excellent choice.

• The University of Akron is accredited at the highest level as a comprehensive, doctoral-degree granting institution by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• Tuition is among the lowest in Ohio for in-state, undergraduate students.
• The University of Akron is in northeast Ohio, less than 50 minutes from Cleveland, two hours from Columbus and two hours from Pittsburgh. The University is close to two airports, including Cleveland-Hopkins International Airport, and just a one-hour flight to major U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C., Chicago, and New Yorrk.
• The University's metropolitan location provides a wide and exciting laboratory for students where they can interact with the professional community, obtain internships, and secure entry-level placement in the field of interior design.
• With a population of 225,000, Akron is Ohio's fifth-largest city. For the second time in recent years, Akron has been named an All-American City by the National Civic League. The campus is within easy driving distance to many of the country's finest cultural resources. Dining, shopping and entertainment opportunities abound. Also nearby are scenic parklands and the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area.

For more information about the Interior Design Program at The University of Akron write or telephone:

Interior Design Program
215 Schrank Hall South
The University of Akron
Akron, Ohio 44325-6103

Telephone: 330-972-7721