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.

Specifications for the Inspiration Board

The Interior Design program is a limited enrollment program and requires a separate application (in addition to applying to the College). To be accepted to the Interior Design program students are required to submit an electronic “Interior Design Inspiration Board” and a brief one-paragraph summary about "What Inspires You About Interior Design."

The requirements for the Inspiration Board are as follows:

  • 11x14 page size
  • Include title block with "Your Name" and "Interior Design Inspiration Board" as the title
  • Include inspiration images for what inspires you about Interior Design (no more than 10)
  • Add labels for all items
  • No solid white backgrounds allowed!
  • Save the page as a PDF titled with your first and last name and attach in an email (5 MB max size).
  • The one paragraph summary:
    • Write a short 1 paragraph summary to accompany the board about what inspires you about Interior Design
  • Submit your digital inspiration board to ensign.link/idboard
    • You will need your admissions application ID or your Ensign student ID # 

You will be notified as to whether or not you have been accepted into the ID program by email from the Interior Design Program Chair. The sooner you send in your inspiration board, the sooner you will be notified and the greater your chances of acceptance because enrollment is limited (see website for examples).

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 Courses

REL, Two cornerstone religion courses (REL 200, REL 225, REL 250, or REL 275), 4 credits
REL, Two additional Religion Courses, 4 credits

Total Religion Courses Minimum Credit Hours 8

Program Required College Courses

BAP 115, Excel and Introduction to Technology, 1 credit
CAR 101, College Success, 1 credit
CAR 201, Career Success, 1 credit
COMM 122, Interpersonal Communications, 3 credits
ENG 101, Introduction to College Writing, 3 credits
MAT 107, Quan Analysis & Per Finance, 3 credits

Total Program College-wide Courses Minimum Credit Hours 12

Program Core Courses

ID 104, Principles of Design, 2 credits
ID 110, Color Theory, 2 credits
ID 118, 3-D Design, 2 credits
ID 120, Digital Presentation Techniques, 3 credits
ID 125, Drafting, 3 credits
ID 126, Space Planning, 4 credits
ID 127, Drawing Techniques, 3 credits
ID 128, Textiles, 2 credits
ID 129, Lighting, 3 credits
ID 130, Studio I, 4 credits
ID 131, Introduction to AutoCAD, 2 credits
ID 150, Materials and Specifications, 2 credits
ID 151, Kitchen and Bath (NKBA), 3 credits
ID 210, Historical Furnishings & Architecture, 3 credits
ID 211, Modern Furnishings & Architecture, 3 credits
ID 230, Studio II, 4 credits
ID 231, Computer Design I, 3 credits
ID 232, Computer Design II, 3 credits
ID 252, LEED Prep, 2 credits
ID 265, Codes and Regulations, 3 credits
ID 275, Business of Interior Design, 3 credits
ID 280, Portfolio, 3 credits
ID 290, NCIDQ Prep, 3 credits
ID 299**, Interior Design Internship, 1 credit

Total Program Core Courses Minimum Credit Hours 66

Total Interior Design (AAS) Degree Minimum Credit Hours: 86

**Note: ID 299 will substitute for CAR 299 for students completing the AS degree in addition to the AAS degree, however, CAR 299 may not be a substitute for ID 299

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
CAR 101, College Success, 1 credit
BAP 115, Excel and Introduction to Technology, 1 credit
REL, Religion - Cornerstone, 2 credits

Total Minimum Semester Hours 14

Second Semester - Winter or Spring

ID 118, 3-D Design, 2 credits
ID 127, Drawing Techniques, 3 credits
ID 128, Textiles, 2 credits
ID 131, Introduction to AutoCAD, 2 credits
REL, Religion, 2 credits
ENG 101, Introduction to College Writing, 3 credits

Total Minimum Semester Hours 14

Third Semester - Fall or Spring

ID 126, Space Planning, 4 credits
ID 129, Lighting, 3 credits
ID 151, 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 130, Studio I, 4 credits
ID 150, Materials and Specifications, 2 credits
ID 210, Historical Furnishings & Architecture, 3 credits
ID 231, Computer Design I, 3 credits
MAT 107, Quantitative Analysis and Personal Finance, 3 credits

Total Minimum Semester Hours 15

Fifth Semester - Winter or Spring

ID 211, Modern Furnishings & Architecture, 3 credits
ID 230, Studio II, 4 credits
ID 232, Computer Design II, 3 credits
ID 265, Codes and regulations, 3 credits
ID 299**, Interior Design Internship, 1 credit

Total Minimum Semester Hours 14

Sixth Semester - Spring or Fall

ID 252, LEED Prep, 2 credits
ID 275, Business of Interior Design, 3 credits
ID 280, Portfolio, 3 credits
ID 290, NCIDQ Prep, 3 credits
CAR 201, Career Success, 1 credit
REL, Religion, 2 credits

Total Minimum Semester Hours 14

Total Interior Design AAS Degree Minimum Credit Hours 86

**Note: ID 299 will substitute for CAR 299 for students completing the AS degree in addition to the AAS degree.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum of 86 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