INTERIOR DESIGN PROGRAM INFORMATION
Undergraduate
Please see the OU Course Catalog for course descriptions. After you connect to the Banner system, select “Browse Classes” to explore courses. See the complete list of degree checksheets here.
Bachelor of Interior Design
All first- and second-year courses listed in the courses and curriculum schedule must be completed before applying for admission. A minimum 2.50 OU and combined retention GPA is required for admission to the Bachelor of Interior Design program. Admission is limited to the top students applying for the program as determined by GPA (2.50 combined retention or higher) and portfolio review. Curriculum changes are made periodically to meet changes in accreditation requirements, and to make the program as current as possible within reasonable parameters. You will graduate under the program through which you entered unless you confirm in writing that you wish to work with a more recently adopted change. Always check in with your advisor each semester, even if you are quite clear about your planning.
The program strongly supports practicum/intern experience during summers and the school year. The majority of employers would like you to have computer and intern experience prior to being hired by them! You may choose to receive credit for your experience(s), and the faculty encourage a paid experience.
For more information about the Interior Design undergraduate program, contact an academic advisor.
Interior Design Minor Options
If you are interested in pursuing one of these minor options, please speak to your academic advisor.
- Interior Design Minor for Non-Architecture/Visual Communication Majors (link)
- Interior Design Minor for Architecture Majors (link)
- Interior Design Minor for Visual Communication Majors (link)
Student Achievement Data
2024
Job Placement: 96% of the students who graduated in May 2024 were employed with discipline-related jobs within six months of graduation.
Acceptance into Graduate Programs: 4% of the graduating students applied for graduate school.
Graduation Rates: 65% of the students from the class of 2024 graduated in 4 years. *Note: The Interior Design program at OU takes four years to complete. Students who change their major to Interior Design after attending OU may take longer to graduate.
Retention/Attrition: 95% of Interior Design majors enrolled during the Spring 2024 semester returned in Fall 2024, putting attrition at 5%. *Note: Students applying for the 3rd year of the Interior Design program are required to maintain an overall GPA of 2.5, pass a portfolio review, and complete all required courses. The portfolio review is conducted by the Interior Design faculty and occurs in the Spring of the 2nd year of the program.
2023
Job Placement: 100% of the students that graduated in May 2023 were employed with discipline-related jobs within six months of graduation.
Acceptance into Graduate Programs: 0% of the graduating students applied for graduate school.
Graduation Rates: 73% of the students from the class of 2023 graduated in 4 years. *Note: The Interior Design program at OU takes four years to complete. Students who change their major to Interior Design after attending OU may take longer to graduate.
Retention/Attrition: 93% of Interior Design majors enrolled during the Spring 2023 semester returned in Fall 2023, putting attrition at 7%. *Note: Students applying for the 3rd year of the Interior Design program are required to maintain an overall GPA of 2.5, pass a portfolio review, and complete all required courses. The portfolio review is conducted by the Interior Design faculty and occurs in the Spring of the 2nd year of the program.
2022
Job Placement: 100% of the students that graduated in May 2022 were employed with discipline-related jobs within six months of graduation.
Acceptance into Graduate Programs: 0% of the graduating students applied for graduate school.
Graduation Rates: 50% of the students from the class of 2022 graduated in 4 years. *Note: The Interior Design program at OU takes four years to complete. Students who change their major to Interior Design after attending OU may take longer to graduate.
Retention/Attrition: 95% of Interior Design majors enrolled during the Spring 2022 semester returned in Fall 2022, putting attrition at 5%. *Note: Students applying for the 3rd year of the Interior Design program are required to maintain an overall GPA of 2.5, pass a portfolio review, and complete all required courses. The portfolio review is conducted by the Interior Design faculty and occurs in the Spring of the 2nd year of the program.
2021
Job Placement: 95% of the students that graduated in May 2020 were employed with discipline-related jobs within six months of graduation.
Acceptance into Graduate Programs: 23% of the graduating students applied for graduate school.
Graduation Rates: 64% of the students from the class of 2021 graduated in 4 years. *Note: The Interior Design program at OU takes four years to complete. Students who change their major to Interior Design after attending OU may take longer to graduate.
Retention/Attrition: 98% of Interior Design majors enrolled during the Spring 2021 semester returned in Fall 2021, putting attrition at 2%. *Note: Students applying for the 3rd year of the Interior Design program are required to maintain an overall GPA of 2.5, pass a portfolio review, and complete all required courses. The portfolio review is conducted by the Interior Design faculty and occurs in the Spring of the 2nd year of the program.
2020
Job Placement: 94% of the students that graduated in May 2020 were employed with discipline related jobs within six months of graduation.
Acceptance into Graduate Programs: 3% of the graduating students applied for graduate school.
Graduation Rates: 63% of the students from the class of 2020 graduated in 4 years. *Note: The Interior Design program at OU takes four years to complete. Students who change their major to Interior Design after attending OU may take longer to graduate.
Retention/Attrition: 93% of Interior Design majors enrolled during the Spring 2020 semester returned in Fall 2020, putting attrition at 7%. *Note: Students applying for the 3rd year of the Interior Design program are required to maintain an overall GPA of 2.5, pass a portfolio review, and complete all required courses. The portfolio review is conducted by the Interior Design faculty and occurs in the Spring of the 2nd year of the program.
Graduate
Degree Requirements:
Master of Interior Design–First Professional
Master of Interior Design–Post Professional
Please see the OU Course Catalog for course descriptions. After you connect to the Banner system, select “Browse Classes” to explore courses.
Master of Science in Interior Design, First Professional
Master of Science in Interior Design First Professional degree offers graduate education in Interior Design to students who do not have a previous professional degree in Interior Design or Architecture. The unique location of the Division of Interior Design in the College of Architecture provides opportunity to collaborate with the fields of Architecture, Construction Science, Landscape Architecture, and Regional and City Planning. The program reinforces the notion of collaboration and integrated practices in the built environment. Students are required to complete 63 credit hours of coursework which includes both introductory level classes and advanced classes in Interior Design.
For more information contact Suchi Bhattacharjee, Ph.D, Graduate Liaison, at 405-325-4528 or by email suchi@ou.edu
Master of Science in Interior Design, Post-Professional
There are two post-professional program offerings in the Division of Interior Design. The first is for students with an undergraduate degree in interior design or a related field and requires 33 credit hours for completion. The second is for students with an undergraduate degree accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). Incoming students with a CIDA-accredited ungraduated degree require only 30 hours for program completion.
For more information contact Suchi Bhattacharjee, Ph.D, Graduate Liaison, at 405-325-4528 or by email suchi@ou.edu
Ph.D. in Planning, Design, and Construction (Interior Design Emphasis)
This degree is available to students wishing to pursue a specialized research or creative agenda. This program consists of coursework tailored to the student’s interests, providing practitioners and students with an opportunity to deepen their expertise in a particular realm of research. Students typically work closely with a faculty committee to select courses from across the University to create an individualized educational plan. Students in the Ph.D in Planning, Design and Construction degree program are offered a combination of courses from the five disiplines of the College of Architecture including: graduate level elective seminars; professional practice; history and theory; structures; and sustainable design and technology. Students have the opportunity to study with leading scholars of the College of Architecture, as well as University-wide fields as diverse as Engineering, Geography, History of Science, and more. Students gradually narrow and focus their research agendas, culminating in a written or designed final dissertation. Ultimately, graduates are well prepared to develop and undertake new research and creative endeavors.
Contact Suchi Bhattacharjee, Ph.D., Graduate Liaison, at 405-325-4528 or by email suchi@ou.edu
Graduate Admissions Requirements
MS in Interior Design
In addition to the admission requirements of the Graduate College, the following materials must be submitted directly to the Graduate Liaison of the Division of Interior Design for evaluation.
1. A transcript from all previous institutions confirming a minimum grade point average of 3.00 on a scale of 4.00 for undergraduate studies is required.
2. A portfolio of work, 8” x 11” format preferred.
3. A statement, limited to 500 words, of the intent for pursuing graduate studies in interior design at the University of Oklahoma.
4. Three letters of recommendation from professional or educational references.
Early Admission:
A student enrolled in the final semester of undergraduate studies may apply for admission to the graduate program in interior design for the next regular semester following completion of his/her undergraduate degree. Admission to the program will be contingent upon satisfactory completion of undergraduate studies, subject to final review by the Division Director.
Deadlines:
No application for the graduate program in Interior Design will be considered until all supporting documents have been received. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials are received by the graduate liaison prior to the application deadline. Late applicants will be considered on a space-available basis only.
Fall Semester: Rolling deadline
Spring Semester: Rolling deadline
MS in Interior Design, First Professional
In addition to the admission requirements of the Graduate College, the following materials must be submitted directly to OU through the online application website.
1. A transcript from all previous institutions confirming a minimum grade point average of 3.00 on a scale of 4.00 for undergraduate studies is required.
2. A statement, limited to 500 words, of the intent for pursuing graduate studies in interior design at the University of Oklahoma.
3. Three letters of recommendation from professional or educational references.
4. Students have the option to submit a portfolio of creative work (design, photography, writing, etc.) however the portfolio is not required.
Deadlines:
No application for the graduate program in Interior Design will be considered until all supporting documents have been received. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all required materials are received by the graduate liaison prior to the application deadline.
Fall Semester: Rolling deadline
Ph.D. in Planning, Design, and Construction (Interior Design Emphasis)
Ph.D. admission requirements are detailed on this website.
Contact Suchi Bhattacharjee, Ph.D., Graduate Liaison, at 405-325-4528 or by email suchi@ou.edu for more information.