Interior Design Degree Program in San Diego, California

Design Institute Of San Diego:
Founded in 1977, the Design Institute of San Diego is a private independent four-year college, and devoted to a single purpose: professional education in interior design. We provide an accredited 4-year Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design Degree program. This is a professional level program accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) - formerly FIDER. The course works off a 132 semester-credit-unit curriculum, providing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to enter the interior design profession.

4-Year Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design Degree Program
The Interior Design Program leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design degree is a four-year, 126 semester credit-unit curriculum; providing students with the training necessary to enter the interior design profession. The program consists of 90 credits in the interior design major and 36 credits in general education.

The Interior Design Program leading to a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design degree at Design Institute is a professional level program accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) - formerly FIDER. CIDA Professional level programs provide academic preparation for the professional interior designer.

Day Students
Classes are normally scheduled Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Full-time day students taking 15-18 credit units per semester, attend classes three to five days per week and may complete the 126 credit-unit program in four years. All courses in the curriculum designated ID or GE, are taught each semester during the day, Fall and Spring. For GE Electives and Interior Design Electives offered, please refer to the current semester schedule available before registration each semester.  Part-time students should check the current semester schedule to determine when courses are available.

Evening Students
A full evening program is available to students who cannot attend classes during the day. Course of study and faculty are essentially the same as that offered during the day. Evening classes are scheduled between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The evening curriculum is divided into three semesters per year: Fall, Spring and Summer. Each semester is fifteen weeks. Students are accepted into the program three times per year: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Students will attend class 2 or 3 nights per week, taking 6-9 credit units per semester. According to this schedule, it will take a student attending full-time in the evening program approximately 4 1/2 years (14 semesters) to complete the 126 credit-unit interior design curriculum.

First Year Modules / Courses:
- Introduction to Interior Design
- Elements of Design I
- History of Interiors
- Drawing & Composition
- English Composition
- Architectural Drafting I
- Elements of Design II
- Quick Sketching
- Color Theory & Application
- Oral Communication

Second Year Modules / Courses:
- Interior Design I
- Architectural Drafting II
- Textiles
- Perspective/Rendering
- Critical Thinking
- Interior Design II
- Building Codes & Standards
- CAD I
- Enironmental Psychology
- Ideas in Art & Architecture
- Philosophy & Values

Third Year Modules / Courses:
- Interior Design III
- CAD II
- Building Systems
- Materials & Application
- World Literature
- Elective
Semester Two
- Interior Design IV
- Lighting Design
- Digital Presentation
- CAD III
- Environmental Studies
- Elective

Fourth Year Modules / Courses:
- Interior Design V
- Furniture Design
- Internship
- 20th Century Architecture
- Cultural Anthropology
- Elective
- Senior Project
- Business Practices
- Portfolio & Presentation Techniques