| BFA Interior Design
Bring your Creative Visions to Life and Start a Rewarding Career
Unlock your potential with the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Interior Design at the UIW School of Media and Design.
As one of the very few CIDA-accredited programs in Texas, our 124 credit-hour program integrates environment behavior and the design process with cutting-edge technology to equip you with the skills needed for a successful career in interior design.
Why Choose UIW's Interior Design Program?
- Exceptional Job Placement: Our graduates enjoy a high job placement rate (90% in 2023, 92% in 2022), entering the industry well-prepared and in demand.
- Industry Accreditations: Earn prestigious LEED Green Associate and WELL AP accreditations, giving you a competitive edge.
- Hands-On Experience: Gain invaluable experience through professional internships, working in real-world settings.
- Comprehensive Skill Development: Master essential skills in design, space planning, construction, codes, lighting, and more.
- Portfolio Ready: Graduate with a polished, interview-ready portfolio that showcases your talent and creativity.
Embark on a fulfilling career in interior design with the confidence and expertise gained from UIW's top-tier program. Apply today and take the first step on your Journey toward transforming your passion into a profession.
Invest In Your Future
$62,150
Average annual salary for Interior Designers*
8.3%
Forecast growth of the Interior Design market until 2030**
90%
Rate of employed UIW students who graduated in 2023
Why Interior Design?
Residences, offices, restaurants, hotels, retail stores, healthcare facilities, schools and any number of spaces where the environment is critical to the human experience, rely on the skills and talent of interior design professionals. Their understanding of spatial needs, human interactions, technology, color, design, style and lighting help guide businesses and organizations across industries in developing the spaces that support function and human well-being.
"What Does an Interior Designer Do?" (video) - The Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ)
CONNECT WITH UIW
How It Works
Starting your journey into higher education has never been this easy!
✔ Step 1
Connect with UIW & apply
✔ Step 2
We help you get tuition
✔ Step 3
Start your degree
UIW Students Work Samples
The interior design program leading to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, www.accredit-id.org, 206 Grandville Ave., 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 Fine Arts in Interior Design granted by the University of the Incarnate Word meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). For more information about NCIDQ Exam eligibility visit: https://www.cidq.org/eligibility-requirements.
The program instructs students in both residential and commercial design and provides students with the skills and tools necessary for careers in interior design, either as employees of a design firm or as self-employed designers. Students study architectural skills and learn to relate space to the building envelope so that the living or working environment is aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly.
Student Organization
Student Interior Design Experience (StuDex)
This group provides an educational outlet for those serious about interior design. Members have opportunities to work with professionals in the field, gaining a better understanding of current techniques, trends and future directions in the industry.
The organization serves as an IIDA Campus Center and an ASID Student Chapter.
Follow StuDex on Social Media:
Students who earn their BFA in Interior Design can pursue a wide array of careers in the design industry.
Examples of Careers and Industries for Graduates Who Earn Their BFA in Interior Design:
- Interior Design Studios
- Hospitality Design
- Healthcare Design
- Historic Preservation
- Institutional Design (schools, government)
- Industrial (Aircraft Interiors, Private Yachts and Cruise Ships)
- Retail (Department Stores and Furniture Stores)
- In-House Designers (Corporations, Hotels, Department Stores)
- Facilities Designer
- Architectural Firms
- Home Builders
- Display
- Furniture Buyer
- Showrooms (World Trade Centers)
- Furniture and Material Representatives
According to data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the 2022 median annual salary for Interior Designers was $61,590.
What You Get By Choosing UIW
At UIW, we believe in providing our students with everything they need to succeed!
Career Ready Education
A program that teaches you practical skills and lets you graduate with an interview-ready portfolio
Financial Assistance
99% of UIW freshmen received financial assistance! We work with you to save on your tuition.
$24,651
The average amount of need-based scholarships and grants awarded to full-time, first-time freshmen.
High Placement Rates
Over the last 5 Years, 91% of UIW Students who graduated with an Interior Design Degree have found a job!
Real Work Experience
Interior Design Internship challenges students to apply their learned skills, techniques and theory in a real, professional setting through an approved internship experience.
A Cutting-Edge School
Continuously re-evaluating its programs, UIW's School of Media and Design has been an early adopter of business-related technologies and applications.
A Vibrant Community
Interior Design students at UIW enjoy a vibrant student community. UIW is home to many student organizations, state-of-the-art facilities, opportunities to explore investing and entrepreneurship, and learn from award-winning faculty and students.
Accredited Programs
Our Interior Design programs are CIDA accredited, ensuring that all students gain the right skills from their educational investment.Meet Our Faculty
Dr. Diana L. Allison, ASID
Associate Professor and Program Coordinator
Diana Allison, an NCIDQ certificate holder, moved into academia after 25 years as a practicing interior designer. Allison is currently the Program Coordinator of Interior Design at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas.
Allison has a Ph.D. in Architectural Studies with an emphasis in Environment and Behavior from the University of Missouri. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Housing & Interior Design and a Master of Science in Environmental Design from the University of Missouri. Allison’s dissertation focused on place attachment as she researched aging on the farm.
Current research focuses on engaging students in their education and place attachment created through possessions.
Adam Nash
Associate Professor
Adam Nash is an Associate Professor of Interior Design at the University of the Incarnate Word, with over 16 years of experience in the interior design industry. Adam holds several professional accreditations, including WELL AP, LEED Green Associate, EDAC Certification and is a Fitwel Ambassador. He is an active professional member of several professional organizations such as IIDA and ASID and was awarded the ASID One to Watch in Education award in 2019.
Adam earned a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design from the University of Texas at San Antonio, a Master of Arts in Interior Design from the Savannah College of Art & Design and is currently a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Missouri – Columbia. His research centers on design for social impact and equity, primarily working with vulnerable populations that are underserved in the community.
Judy Ruvuna
Assistant Professor
Judy Ruvuna is an educator and designer with a diverse background in Architecture, Interior Design, Historic Preservation, and Textile Technology and Design. She is an Assistant Professor for Interior Design at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. She holds a Master of Architecture and Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation from the University of Texas at San Antonio, a Certificate in Interior Design from the University of Alabama at Huntsville, and a Bachelor of Science in Textile Technology and Design, from the University of Bradford, UK. Judy Ruvuna has over 25 years of industry experience and is the owner and Project designer for J R Interior Solutions.
Ruvuna is the recipient of the 2022 Provost's Legacy in Teaching Award, which is awarded to faculty members who in their first five years of service at UIW demonstrate the degree of dedication to teaching and learning that joins them to the long legacy of teaching excellence that characterizes UIW.
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