Mar 29, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2007-08 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2007-08 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Interior Design


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: College of Education

Interior Design emphasizes the application of analytical, technical, business, and aesthetic skills in the development of spaces for living, working, and/or relaxation. Graduates are employed with architectural and design firms, in interior/facilities management divisions of large corporations, retailing home furnishings, and marketing positions and showroom management.

An active student chapter of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) provides additional exposure to professional activities. Students are encouraged to combine a major in interior design with a minor in marketing, management, art, or communications.

The program is accredited by FIDER (Foundation for Interior Design Education Research) and by NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art and Design).

Admission Requirements



Only the Office of Admissions and Orientation grants admission to Western Michigan University for undergraduate students. Application forms may be obtained from that office or the University’s website at www.wmich.edu.

The Interior Design program at Western Michigan University is in high demand by incoming freshmen and transfer students. The number of faculty and available space limits courses and sections that can be offered. Therefore, the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences has established two separate acceptance processes for students seeking to pursue the Interior Design program. The first, acceptance into the pre-Interior Design program, will ensure that incoming students with only the strongest motivation and credentials are able to enroll in the required interior design courses. Students accepted into the program must begin the program in a fall semester only. Applications are accepted any time of the year, but are due no later than March 1 for the following fall semester. Applicants will be notified of their status by April 1. Applications are available at the Family and Consumer Sciences office, 3326 Kohrman Hall, or the College of Education Academic Advising office, 2504 Sangren Hall. NOTE: Admission to the pre-Interior Design program does not guarantee the student will be admitted to the upper-division of the curriculum. (See Portfolio Review Requirement)

The interior design application consists of the following:

  1. 1. Completed Interior Design Admission Application Form.
  2. A one to two page, double-spaced word processed essay discussing why you wish to major in Interior Design. See Essay Requirement. 
  3. A current resume which includes activities, awards, and work experience.
  4. Additional materials, such as examples of creative work, are highly encouraged but not required for acceptance into the program.

Portfolio Review Requirement


During their fourth semester in the program, students in the pre-Interior Design program will then submit to a portfolio review, held annually during the spring semester, which is the basis for selective admission to the upper division of the curriculum. The purpose of the review is to encourage excellence in design and recognize those students best prepared for the challenge of advanced studio courses.

To apply for the portfolio review and acceptance into the upper division of the curriculum:

1. Students must complete the following courses:


2. The courses listed above must be completed with an average grade of 2.75


3. The University overall grade point average must be no less than 2.5


The review will consist of a 10-minute presentation by the student to the Interior Design faculty, an essay detailing the student’s reasons for seeking admission to the upper level sequence of courses, and a portfolio of the student’s work showing ability in color layout, drafting, free hand drawing, lettering, sample board assembly, etc.

Up to twenty (20) students will be selected from the portfolio review applicants each year to continue in the upper division course work. Students who are denied advancement may retake courses or redo projects before reapplying for portfolio review the following spring semester.

A Minimum of 122 Hours is Required for this Curriculum


1. General Education/Liberal Arts Requirements (37 hours)


2. Required Core Courses (59 hours)


Students in the interior design major will satisfy the Baccalaureate Writing requirement by successfully completing FCS 3500.

3. Required Related Courses (40 hours)


Either


4. Electives - As needed for graduation total of 122 hours


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: College of Education