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Interior Design Program

The UCA Department of Art and Design offer two degree options for Interior Design majors: a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts. The curriculum for the Interior Design degree is planned to prepare students to serve the interior design and architectural professions in areas of commercial and residential planning and merchandising. Coursework for Interior Design includes basic design, technical knowledge and skills, communication, history of the arts, and business practices. The program is accredited through the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), National Association of Art and Design (NASAD), and National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE). Interior Design students are given the opportunity to study in Italy with UCA Study Abroad.

See pictures of student involvement and links to student portfolios.

Interior Design Course List

Program Checklists

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Supplies for IDSN

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ASID UCA Student Chapter

 

Retention, Graduation, and Job Placement

 

Interior Design Student Achievement 2024 Data 

 

 

Interior Design Student Achievement 2023 Data 

Data is gathered from the previous year. Current year data is generally available in the following Spring.

Retention & Attrition Rates 2023

  • 88% of the Interior Design majors enrolled during the Spring 2023 semester returned in the Fall, 2023, putting the attrition at 12%.

 

Job Placement:

  • Of the 17 graduates, none are in graduate school and data was not available for 2. Thirteen (13) are employed full-time and 2 are not employed, part-time, or other.

 

Graduation Rates:

Graduation Completion:

  • Of the 12 students, 8% (1 student) completed the degree in three (3) years, 50% (6 students completed the degree in four (4) years, and 42% (5 students) completed the degree in five (5) years.

 

Mission Statement and Goals

The Interior Design Program at the University of Central Arkansas is dedicated to the development of knowledgeable, creative, and ethical professionals who perform effectively in a global community.

Program Growth
We seek strategic growth in both student enrollment and instructional resources. This includes adding full-time faculty, adjunct specialists, administrative support, and student workers to maintain educational quality while expanding program capacity and capabilities.
Specialized Curriculum Development
We seek to increase specialized course offerings in high-demand areas including furniture design, healthcare, education, hospitality, and customized residential design. These courses will leverage expertise from local design professionals, providing students with knowledge and hands-on skill while strengthening industry connections.
Technological Innovation
We strive to develop state-of-the-art technological spaces in Burdick Hall, our new facility as of Spring 2026, including the Grid and Fabrication Lab with future virtual and augmented reality capabilities. We have accommodated additional electrical and mechanical support in anticipation of these assets and are actively fundraising for this technology and equipment. These spaces would potentially feature immersive BIM modeling experiences and virtual access to renowned cultural institutions like the Metropolitan Museum, Smithsonian, etc. In addition, we plan to continue building upon our solid foundation of technical course offerings, adding certifications to the possible options for student achievement.
Community Engagement
We plan to reinvigorate service learning and project-based opportunities within our local community. These initiatives will provide students with meaningful real-world design experiences while contributing to community development and establishing the program as a valuable regional resource.
Global Design Education
We aim to expand our study abroad offerings beyond Italy to include Spain, Japan, Scandinavia, South America, and even the United Arab Emirates. This international focus will be complemented by annual domestic experiences at key industry events including NeoCon, HighPoint, KBIS, and Dallas Market. These experiences will enhance students’ global and regional design perspective and industry connections.
These goals align with our mission of developing knowledgeable, creative, and ethical professionals who perform effectively in a global community.
Our self-assessment processes evaluate progress toward these goals through quantitative metrics and qualitative feedback from students, faculty, alumni, advisory board, and industry partners.

Additional Goals:

 

      • Apply the basic foundation of human-centered design knowledge and skill sets required for entry-level interior designers in order to protect the health, safety, and well-being of those that will inhabit the built environment.
      • Demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving design processes paramount to contemporary and multidisciplinary interior design practices.
      • Iterate ethics and integrity as crucial elements of professionalism.
      • Provide opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with design professionals and support community development.
      • Encourage personal and professional growth through diverse activities in research, internships, study abroad, and service learning

 

Accreditation and Memberships

Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)

The Interior Design Program at the University of Central Arkansas is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).  Leading to both Bachelor of Sciences and Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design.
The interior design program leading to the bachelor of interior design 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, for advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations. The bachelor of interior design granted by the University of Central Arkansas meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). For more information about the NCIDQ Exam eligibility visit: https://www.cidq.org/eligibility-requirements.

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)

The University of Central Arkansas is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE)

The UCA’s Interior Design Program has been selected for membership in the National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE). The NCPE has designated UCA’s BA and BS degrees in Interior Design as the only program in Arkansas to be accepted for membership in the prestigious NCPE association.

Current Student Resources

Study Abroad 
Makerspace Contact Information
Internship Application 
Internship Exit Form 

Scholarships

We have several scholarship opportunities for Interior Design Majors, see the video for student testimonial.

Georg Andersen Interior Design Scholarship:

For students majoring in Interior Design. Receipts of this scholarship are nominated by
individual art and design faculty members and selected by vote of the full-time faculty.

2024-2025 School Year Recipient:
Mary Hyde

2023-2024 School Year Recipients:
Tomis Nguyen
Caitlin Dickerson

2022-2023 School Year Recipients:
Jo-Wen Ling
Lori Schmidt
Elizabeth Kremer
Emily Conklin

2021-2022 School Year Recipients:
Kylie Gilbert
Kionna Browning
Anastasia Santiago
Miah Millan

Design Scholars

 About the Interior Design Profession

The field of interior design is rapidly changing, and so are the requirements for designers.  At UCA we provide a diverse offering of courses and projects, which help students to find their “passion” in life.

The Council for Interior Design Qualification redefined Interior Design in 2019 as:

“Interior design encompasses the analysis, planning, design, documentation, and management of interior non-structural/non-seismic construction and alteration projects in compliance with applicable building design and construction, fire, life-safety, and energy codes, standards, regulations, and guidelines for the purpose of obtaining a building permit, as allowed by law. Qualified by means of education, experience, and examination, interior designers have a moral and ethical responsibility to protect consumers and occupants through the design of code-compliant, accessible, and inclusive interior environments that address well-being, while considering the complex physical, mental, and emotional needs of people.” (see full definition here)

More information:
Bureau of Labor Statistics
American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)
Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ)
Interior Design Educators Council (IDEC)

Applying and Advising

To Apply to UCA

Undergraduate Admissions and Enrollment Services:  For Undergraduate Admission Information Click Here

Advising

Please schedule an appointment with our Interior Design advisors according to your classification:  Dylan Richardson (all incoming and continuing Freshmen) or Jennifer Whitehead (Sophomores through Seniors + Post-Bacc) before registering for classes. Make sure to check for holds on your account that prevent or delay registration.

Admission Requirements for IDSN:  check here

 

Interior Design Faculty

Program Director: Toni Gocke Wyre, FASID, LEED AP, WELL AP, Associate AIA, NCIDQ, IDEC, AR Registered Designer 5269

Full-Time Faculty:

Jordan Eastin, BA, BSBA, Allied ASID, IDEC
Angela King, MS, Allied ASID, IDEC, EDAC
Jennifer Whitehead, MS, ASID, IDEC, NCIDQ

Part-Time Faculty: 

Employers

Please contact Jennifer Whitehead to request an interior design intern.

Interior Designers can specialize in numerous design fields included but not limited to:

Residential Designer
Commercial Designer- Entry Level
Drafting Designer
BIM Entry Level Technician
Entry-Level Interior Designer
Graphic/ Interior Designer
Space Planner
Furniture Designer
Kitchen and Bathroom Designer
Lighting Specialist
Retail Merchandiser
Store Designer
Design Consultant