Department of Interior Architecture Accreditation and Licensure

Accreditation

The interior design programs leading to the Bachelor of Interior Architecture and Master of Interior Architecture degrees are accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, 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 Interior Architecture and Master of Interior Architecture granted by the University of Oregon meet the educational requirements for eligibility to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). Learn more about NCIDQ Exam eligibility.

Our degree programs are also accredited by National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD):

• Bachelor of Interior Architecture (225 undergraduate credits)
• Master of Interior Architecture Track I (non-pre-professional degree + 147 credits)
• Master of Interior Architecture Track II (pre-professional degree + graduate credits needed to fulfill all MIArch requirements.)

The MS in Interior Architecture degree is a post-professional degree and is not accredited by CIDA. These students must have completed a CIDA accredited degree or the international equivalent prior to enrolling.

The next accreditation visits for the Department of Interior Architecture are in a future academic year for NASAD and in 2029 for CIDA.

CIDA's Disclosure Statement

The Program Analysis Report, Visiting Team Report, Accreditation Report, and related correspondence notifying programs seeking accreditation of the accreditation decision are confidential. Documents may be disclosed only with prior approval from the program or in the event the program releases misleading or incomplete information. Decisions rendered by the Accreditation Commission to award or deny accreditation, and the term of accredited status, are made public. CIDA does not disclose or make public applications on file or a program’s intent to apply for accreditation, except in response to a specific request by the program deemed reasonable and appropriate by the Accreditation Commission. The official list of accredited programs is available on CIDA’s website. CIDA updates this list following each meeting of the Accreditation Commission (twice a year) and as changes take place. In addition, CIDA provides information regarding the accredited status of interior design programs to selected governmental agencies and professional organizations.

Licensure

State laws vary widely in regard to interior design registration and/or licensure. In those states that have adopted legislation, a professional degree from a CIDA-accredited program is the preferred prerequisite. Interior architecture students and graduates of the program must pass an examination established by National Council of Interior Design Qualification in order to become licensed as interior designers in those states with licensing or certification. Rules vary from state to state but generally two years of professional experience are required prior to taking the exam. Students can visit the websites below for further information about accreditation and licensure.

Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)

National Council of Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ)

Graduation Rates Data

Undergraduate: 92 percent of the students enrolled in the last three graduating cohorts (2021–24) in the five-year bachelor of interior architecture degree program graduated in five years or fewer.
Graduate: 99 percent of the students enrolled in the past three graduating cohorts (2021–24) in the Master of Interior Architecture Track I (three-years plus one summer) and the Master of Interior Architecture Track II (two years) degree programs graduated on time.

Retention Rates Data

Undergraduate: Students entering the major in AY2021–24 had an aggregate 90 percent retention rate to Year 2 of the bachelor’s curriculum.
Graduate: Students entering the master’s program in AY2021–24 had an aggregate 94 percent retention rate to Year 2 of both the Track I and Track II master’s curriculum.

Employment Data

Graduating classes in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 were working in architecture- and interior design–related jobs at an aggregate rate of 71 percent within nine months. On average, 71 percent of Bachelor of Interior Architecture students and 99 percent of the Master of Interior Architecture graduates were working in architecture and design firms within nine months of graduating from our program.

Alumni Careers

Our students are placed into some top architecture and design firms in the nation. We have also had students find positions at numerous universities. Below are a few job examples of employments of recently graduated students.

Acceptance into Graduate Programs Data

100 percent of students (3) who applied to graduate schools in architecture from the graduating classes of 2020 and 2023 were accepted. 

Endowed Visiting Faculty