Interior Design - Associate of Applied Science
Degree
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Overview
The interior design program provides hands-on skills and a visual design sense necessary for professional work in the interior design industry. Students graduate with a presentation portfolio to move immediately into an interior design career. This program prepares students in the business skills of interior design such as the use of computers and business writing. Graduates from this rigorous program have a reputation for excellence in the design industry.
Students completing this degree will meet the requirements to be able to complete the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) Exam, as well as the LEED, GA (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Green Associate) Exam.
Career Opportunities
Positions are available in architectural and interior design firms for entry-level interior designers. In time, students may decide to open their own design firm. Fine furniture stores have openings for designers. Students may also choose to work as sales representatives for one of the design-related industries. Whichever direction students pursue, they can be assured of an exciting and creative career.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, successful graduates will be able to:
- Use knowledge of design principles, theory, and history to address client needs
- Apply design process skills using hand and computer generated solutions
- Select and specify appropriate finishes, furniture, and construction components for end users
- Identify and apply sustainable and environmental principles of design
- Design code-based interior spaces to meet local and national regulations
- Practice design industry business procedures
- Create and use a visual portfolio to acquire employment or clientele
Note: To give the program necessary depth and breadth, professionals employed full time in the interior design field teach many courses. Since these professionals have other work commitments, some classes will be scheduled only at night while others will be scheduled early in the morning.
Professional Licensure
In general, most states, including Utah, do not require a license to work in this field. However, individuals who are licensed often have additional benefits, such as being able to stamp and permit their own drawings. Some states may have additional licensure requirements. It is recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in the state in which you plan to practice in order to seek information and guidance regarding licensure requirements.
Course Requirements
Students are responsible to examine the course description of each course listed below for details of prerequisites, which must be satisfied before registering for the course.
Religion
Religion Cornerstone Courses
Students must complete two of the following courses
REL 200 | The Eternal Family (Cornerstone) | 2 credits |
REL 225 | Foundations of the Restoration (Cornerstone) | 2 credits |
REL 250 | Jesus Christ & His Everlasting Gospel (Cornerstone) | 2 credits |
REL 275 | Teachings & Doctrine of The Book of Mormon (Cornerstone) | 2 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 4 |
Religion Electives
Students must complete two additional religion courses
Total Credit Hours: 8
College Success
ENS 101 | College Success | 1 credit |
BAP 115 | Excel and Introduction to Technology | 1 credit |
| Total Credit Hours: | 2 |
Career Success
ID 499 | Interior Design Internship | 1 credit |
| Total Credit Hours: | 1 |
ID 499 will substitute for CAR 399R for students completing the AS degree in addition to the AAS degree, however, CAR 399R may not be a substitute for ID 499.
College Fundamentals
COMM 122 | Interpersonal Communications | 3 credits |
ENG 101 | Introduction to College Writing | 3 credits |
MAT 107 | Quantitative Analysis and Personal Finance | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Any math class >MAT 107 will satisfy the MAT 107 College Fundamentals requirement
Program Core Courses
ID 104 | Principles of Design | 2 credits |
ID 110 | Color Theory | 2 credits |
ID 120 | Digital Presentation Technique | 3 credits |
ID 125 | Drafting | 3 credits |
ID 200 | Drawing and Visualization | 4 credits |
ID 215 | Textiles | 2 credits |
ID 225 | Introduction to CAD | 3 credits |
ID 260 | Historical Furnishings & Architecture | 3 credits |
ID 300 | Space Planning | 4 credits |
ID 305 | Lighting | 3 credits |
ID 315 | Kitchen & Bath (NKBA) | 3 credits |
ID 325 | Computer Design I | 3 credits |
ID 335 | Materials and Specifications | 2 credits |
ID 350 | Studio I | 4 credits |
ID 360 | Modern Furnishings & Architecture | 3 credits |
ID 425 | Computer Design II | 3 credits |
ID 435 | Codes and Regulations | 3 credits |
ID 450 | Studio II | 4 credits |
ID 455 | LEED Prep | 2 credits |
ID 475 | Business of Interior Design | 3 credits |
ID 480 | Portfolio | 3 credits |
ID 490 | NCIDQ Prep | 3 credits |
| Total Credit Hours: | 65 |
Total Credit Hours: 85
Graduation Requirements
Minimum of 85 total semester credit hours as outlined
1. GPA of 3.0 or higher in all Interior Design courses
2. Cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher in all courses
3. Complete at least 50% of Interior Design courses at Ensign College
4. Complete 2 cornerstone religion courses, plus 2 additional religion courses
Recommended Sequence of Courses
Depending upon the number of preparatory courses required, additional semesters may be required to complete the program.
There are three scheduling options for completing the Interior Design AAS Degree:
• Year Round – Starting in Fall
• (Note: This is the only option that allows students to walk at graduation after Winter)
• First Summer off – Starting in Fall
• Year Round – Starting in Winter
• Note: There are no Spring starts for the Interior Design AAS Program
6 Semesters - F/W/S/F/W/S or F/W/(Spring Off)/F/W/S/F or W/S/F/W/S/F
First Semester - Fall or Winter
ID 104, Principles of Design, 2 credits
ID 110, Color Theory, 2 credits
ID 120, Digital Presentation Techniques, 3 credits
ID 125, Drafting, 3 credits
ID 260, Historical Furnishings & Architecture, 3 credits
ENS 101, College Success, 1 credit
Total Minimum Semester Hours 14
Second Semester - Winter or Spring
ID 200, Drawing and Visualization, 4 credits
ID 215, Textiles, 2 credits
ID 225, Introduction to CAD, 3 credits
ID 360, Modern Furnishings & Architecture, 3 credits
REL, Religion - Cornerstone, 2 credits
Total Minimum Semester Hours 14
Third Semester - Fall or Spring
ID 300, Space Planning, 4 credits
ID 305, Lighting, 3 credits
ID 315, Kitchen and Bath (NKBA), 3 credits
COMM 122, Interpersonal Communications, 3 credits
REL, Religion, 2 credits
Total Minimum Semester Hours 15
Fourth Semester - Fall or Winter
ID 325, Computer Design I, 3 credits
ID 335, Materials and Specifications, 2 credits
ID 350, Studio I, 4 credits
BAP 115, Excel and Introduction to Technology, 1 credit
MAT 107, Quantitative Analysis and Personal Finance, 3 credits, OR HIGHER
REL, Religion - Cornerstone, 2 credits
Total Minimum Semester Hours 15
Fifth Semester - Winter or Spring
ID 425, Computer Design II, 3 credits
ID 435, Codes and Regulations, 3 credits
ID 450, Studio II, 4 credits
ID 499**, Interior Design Internship, 1 credit
ENG 101, Introduction to College Writing, 3 credits
Total Minimum Semester Hours 14
Sixth Semester - Spring or Fall
ID 455, LEED Prep, 2 credits
ID 475, Business of Interior Design, 3 credits
ID 480, Portfolio, 3 credits
ID 490, NCIDQ Prep, 3 credits
REL, Religion, 2 credits
Total Minimum Semester Hours 13
Total Interior Design - Associate of Applied Science Minimum Credit Hours 85
** Note: ID 499 will substitute for CAR 399R for students completing the AS degree in addition to the AAS degree, however, CAR 399R may not be a substitute for ID 499.