Interior Design, BFA

What you will study

Your bachelor’s in Interior Design from the University of Central Missouri will equip you to produce creative work that draws on both historical and contemporary art and design. With UCM’s Interior Design degree, you’ll gain the tools to research and understand historical and contemporary designs and how to approach them in innovative ways for your clients.

We believe schools of interior design have a responsibility to educate their students in art history and context, as well as in the business practices of the field. Our accredited BFA program takes that responsibility seriously.

More than half of the undergraduate program’s coursework is dedicated to specialized topics in your major. You’ll gain deep experience in design practice and theory relevant to today’s world. We impart a one-earth philosophy to our students: an awareness of the need for environmental stewardship, sustainable design and global context.

You’ll have the opportunity to take a broad variety of courses including:

• Global Arts and Culture: Explore visual, cultural and aesthetic developments in Asian, African, Oceanic and Islamic artistic traditions to bring a global context to the work you do with an interior designing degree.
• Twentieth-Century Art and Architecture: Our accredited bachelor’s in Interior Design program emphasizes independent, creative thinking. Learn to critically examine modern art and architecture through political, cultural and artistic lenses.
• Interior Detailing and Furniture Design: By studying structure, style and materials, you will learn how to create sophisticated, detailed designs for interior environments. 

 

Unique learning opportunities in interior design

Collaboration and hands-on learning are essential components of your bachelor’s degree in Interior Design at the University of Central Missouri. Our reputation for excellence in art and design education is founded on our student-centered teaching culture, commitment to accessibility with low tuition fees and emphasis on experiential learning. 

• Intern with leaders in the field: Put your UCM Interior Design degree into practice alongside experienced professionals. The University of Central Missouri offers easy access to Kansas City, which has a vibrant culture of art and design and is home to the region’s leading design firms.
• Build community, creatively: Enrich your interior designing degree by networking not only with faculty and your fellow students but also with local organizations and communities. Join a pro-bono design marathon to benefit a local nonprofit, get involved with Habitat for Humanity or develop a new project with faculty support.  
• Get recognition for your work: Your bachelor’s in Interior Design includes a portfolio review by visiting outside professionals in your senior year. You can also submit work to our juried Citation Student Show each spring and earn recognition and prizes. 
• Travel and study internationally: Experience some of the most important art and design works in the world in person. Join one of our annual two-week tours of European sites and museums with faculty and fellow students, or spend a semester studying abroad. Put what you’re learning for your interior designing degree in the context of global culture.

 

What can you do with a bachelor’s in Interior Design from UCM?

The Interior Design Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program at the University of Central Missouri prepares undergraduate students to launch a career in interior design, pursue advanced study and apply for membership in professional organizations. 

Students with UCM’s Interior Design degree have gone on to work at many of the region’s top firms in residential design, commercial interior design and sales. Our graduates have been employed by BNIM Architecture, BRR Architecture, Burns & McDonnell, Hollis + Miller Architects, Roseman and Associates, KHL Design Studio, Black & Veatch, MLB Furnishings and Décor, Edwin Pepper Interiors and many more.

Be prepared for real-world demands

UCM is recognized among schools of interior design for its excellence in preparing students for professional and graduate work. Enter into jobs, client interactions or a graduate-level degree in interior design confident in your workplace and communication skills.

 

 

Financial assistance for your BFA degree in Interior Design

We believe that undergraduate students should be able to earn a respected degree in Interior Design from our accredited program without financial hardship. The University of Central Missouri is a leader among schools of interior design for low student debt.

In addition to scholarships available through the university, bachelor’s of Interior Design students can benefit from:

• Portfolio-based scholarships for incoming students
• Endowed scholarships for current students
• Cash prizes at the annual, juried Citation Student Show

You can learn more about program-specific scholarships at the UCM Scholarship Finder.