Interior Design and Fashion Merchandising: Interior Design Concentration
Are you interested in designing living spaces, shopping areas, or entertainment venues? Are you creative and detail-oriented? Do you want to impact the future of sustainable (green) design?
The interior design program at East Carolina University (ECU) is not just any program; it holds prestigious accreditation from the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). This recognition is a testament to our program’s high standards and quality. We offer state-of-the-art preparation for the competitive and rewarding field of interior design through a curriculum taught by professionals with industry experience and connections, paired with computer-aided design studios, professional mentoring, and intensive internship experiences. Our faculty, recognized by the Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC) for design education scholarship, allows students to explore their passion for design while in preparation for their future careers.
Possible Career Opportunities
Studying interior design offers several career opportunities:
Interior Designer: Design interior spaces for various clients.
Architectural Firms: Work on interior aspects of projects.
Specialize: Focus on hospitality, healthcare, or sustainable design.
Set Design: Work on films, TV shows, or theater productions.
Furniture Design: Create furniture pieces or collaborate with designers.
Retail Store Design: Create appealing store layouts.
Event Planning and Exhibition Design: Design temporary spaces for events.
Consulting: Advise clients on interior design choices.
Real Estate Staging: Prepare homes for sale.
Overall, an interior design concentration provides versatile skills for various industries and settings.
Admission Requirements
Acceptance into the interior design concentration is competitive and space available. This rigorous selection process ensures that our program maintains its high standards and attracts individuals who desire to be well-positioned for industry success. Accepted students are notified in early summer, and the start date is the fall semester.
Students can declare the interior design major after meeting each requirement:
- Completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours (30 s.h.)
- Successful completion of IDSN 1081, IDSN 1180, IDSN 1181, IDSN 1200, and IDSN 1500
- Cumulative GPA of B (3.0) or higher
- Proficiency rating in the portfolio review
- Official acceptance into the professional-level courses
These expectations ensure students have a strong academic foundation and demonstrate their design skills through their portfolios. Students must also maintain a minimum grade of C (2.5) or better in all IDSN major courses throughout the program to align their abilities with industry needs
Program Requirements
Upon completion of IDSN foundation courses, interested students must submit portfolios containing representative work from IDSN 1081, IDSN 1181, and IDSN 1500. Our interior design faculty evaluates these portfolios based on creativity, technical skill, and adherence to design principles. If the student’s portfolio meets the required standards, they are recommended for acceptance to the professional-level interior design courses. If a student’s portfolio does not meet the required standards, they can resubmit a portfolio a maximum of two additional times to improve their chances of acceptance. It’s important to remember that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee entry into the professional level. Admission to professional-level courses is competitive and limited.
The interior design curriculum plan requires four years to complete. The curriculum requires one year of foundational and three years of professional-level classes, following an intention sequence of 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000.
Internship Requirements and Experience
IDFM 300—Internship 1 requires 200 clock hours of onsite work experience over the semester.
Student Opportunities and Experiences
Apparel and Interior Merchandising Organization
Interior Design Student Organization
National Retail Federation Student Association at East Carolina University
Fashion Club
Delivery Methods
This program uses on-campus, face-to-face, and distance education formats to deliver content.
Accreditation Information
The East Carolina University interior design concentration is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
The interior design concentration leading to the BS Interior Design and Merchandising is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, www.accredit-id.org, 206 Grandville Avenue, Suite 350, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503.”
The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, advanced study, and application for membership in professional interior design organizations. The interior design curriculum provided at ECU meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). The NCIDQ Exam is the industry’s recognized standard for interior design professionals. It demonstrates a designer’s competence and knowledge in the field and is often required for licensure or registration in many states. For more information about NCIDQ Exam eligibility, visit: https://www.cidq.org/eligibility-requirements.
Institutional and Professional Licensure Disclosures for Enrolled and Prospective Students
ECU degree programs satisfy the professional licensure and/or certification requirements in North Carolina and prepare students to sit for these exams. However, requirements in other states may be different.
If you are considering a degree program that may, would, could or potentially lead to a professional license and/or certification, please note that at this time ECU may or may not be able to advise whether a program meets requirements outside of North Carolina. Prior to enrolling in a degree program, please discuss this important topic with your program of interest.