Program Info
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ACCREDITATION and CERTIFICATION
Our Interior Design program is FIDER accredited. A degree from a FIDER accredited program is increasingly important as a requirement for professional certification and licensing of Interior Designers in the United States. After completing the professional work experience required by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), our graduates are eligible to take the NCIDQ examination. A FIDER accredited degree, work experience and passing the NCIDQ exam satisfy the requirements in Virginia for recognition as a "Certified Interior Designer."
ADMISSIONS
All students interested in studying Interior Design (that are not currently students at Virginia Tech) must visit the Virginia Tech Admissions website to determine your specific application requirements.
If you are currently a student at Virginia Tech, we have an internal transfer process that requires an application that must be picked up in the School of Architecture + Design office (201 Cowgill Hall). Applications are available at the start of the Spring Semester.
FACILITIES
The Interior Design Program is part of the School of Architecture + Design. Each student is assigned a desk in their design studio each semester and has unlimited access to their workspace. Administrative offices, the Art and Architecture Library, and the Foundation Design studios are located in Cowgill Hall. Upper level Interior Design studios, a computer lab, classroom space, and faculty offices are located in Burruss Hall. Wood, metal, plastics, and ceramics shop facilities, a print making studio, faculty offices, and additional computer labs are located in Burchard Hall. These three facilities are all immediately adjacent to each other on campus, and they are all available to Interior Design students.
COMPUTER REQUIREMENT
The Interior Design Program requires a PC Platform in the Laptop Format. See current Virginia Tech University and School of Architecture + Design requirements for more information.
STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES
There are several opportunities for interior design majors to study abroad. Students can participate in European summer traveling programs with credits offered toward the Bachelor of Science in Interior Design degree, and students can apply for acceptance in the residency program at the Virginia Tech Center for European Studies and Architecture in Riva San Vitale, Switzerland.
Studio Residency students at Riva San Vitale interact with students from other Virginia Tech programs, sharing extensive library resources, well-equipped lecture rooms, studios, room and board accommodations and extensive private surrounding gardens. This centrally located facility is a valuable resource for short trips into Italy, France, Austria, Germany and the surrounding areas of Switzerland. The studio has access to unique urban and rural, contemporary and historical ways of life and their built environments.
INTERNSHIPS
During the summer between the third and fourth year of the curriculum, most interior design majors take ITDS 4964 Field Study? our internship program. Students are responsible for finding their own internship position, but with the excellent reputation our program enjoys and an extensive network of professional friends of the school, our students routinely find paid internship opportunities with top firms.
AWARDS, DESIGN COMPETITIONS, SCHOLARSHIPS
Alumni and industry contribute to the Interior Design Foundation which is the source of funds for several awards offered by the Interior Design Program. These awards, which are given at the end of the school year include the Jeanette Turner Bowker Scholarship as well as other design competitions and awards that are frequently offered throughout the school year.
VTIDA STUDENT CHAPTER
The Virginia Tech Interior Design Association brings together the benefits of two professional organizations - ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) and IIDA (International Interior Design Association) - to give students an opportunity for professional contacts with the industry and profession. Chapter activities include guest speakers, and socials. Membership in the VTIDA chapter entitles you to receive the ASID newsletter, IIDA newsletter and other publications and is a clear way of showing a future employer your involvement with the profession.
VTIDA hosts a luncheon every Wednesday with invited speakers in Cowgill Hall room 100. See VTIDA for more information.
College of Architecture and Urban Studies - Virginia Tech Homepage
Last updated September 2005