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Interior Design - Associate of Applied Science

Degree

Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

Overview

The interior design program provides hands-on skills and a visual design sense necessary for professional work in the interior design industry. Students graduate with a presentation portfolio to move immediately into an interior design career. This program prepares students in the business skills of interior design such as the use of computers and business writing. Graduates from this rigorous program have a reputation for excellence in the design industry.

Students completing this degree will meet the requirements to be able to complete the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) Exam, as well as the LEED, GA (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, Green Associate) Exam.

Career Opportunities

Positions are available in architectural and interior design firms for entry-level interior designers. In time, students may decide to open their own design firm. Fine furniture stores have openings for designers. Students may also choose to work as sales representatives for one of the design-related industries. Whichever direction students pursue, they can be assured of an exciting and creative career.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, successful graduates will be able to:

  • Use knowledge of design principles, theory, and history to address client needs
  • Apply design process skills using hand and computer generated solutions
  • Select and specify appropriate finishes, furniture, and construction components for end users
  • Identify and apply sustainable and environmental principles of design
  • Design code-based interior spaces to meet local and national regulations
  • Practice design industry business procedures
  • Create and use a visual portfolio to acquire employment or clientele

Note: To give the program necessary depth and breadth, professionals employed full time in the interior design field teach many courses. Since these professionals have other work commitments, some classes will be scheduled only at night while others will be scheduled early in the morning.

Professional Licensure

In general, most states, including Utah, do not require a license to work in this field. However, individuals who are licensed often have additional benefits, such as being able to stamp and permit their own drawings. Some states may have additional licensure requirements. It is recommended that you contact the appropriate licensing entity in the state in which you plan to practice in order to seek information and guidance regarding licensure requirements.

Course Requirements

Students are responsible to examine the course description of each course listed below for details of prerequisites, which must be satisfied before registering for the course.

Religion

Religion Cornerstone Courses

Students must complete two of the following courses
Course NumberTitleCredits
REL 200The Eternal Family (Cornerstone)

2 credits
REL 225Foundations of the Restoration (Cornerstone)

2 credits
REL 250Jesus Christ & His Everlasting Gospel (Cornerstone)

2 credits
REL 275Teachings & Doctrine of The Book of Mormon (Cornerstone)

2 credits
Total Credit Hours:4

Religion Electives

Students must complete two additional religion courses
Course NumberTitleCredits
Total Credit Hours:4

Total Credit Hours: 8

College and Career Success

Complete both of the following
Course NumberTitleCredits
CAR 101College Success

1 credit
BAP 115Excel and Introduction to Technology

1 credit
Total Credit Hours:2

Internship

Course NumberTitleCredits
ID 499Interior Design Internship

1 credit
Total Credit Hours:1
ID 499 will substitute for CAR 299 for students completing the AS degree in addition to the AAS degree, however, CAR 299 may not be a substitute for ID 499. 

College Fundamentals

Course NumberTitleCredits
COMM 122Interpersonal Communications

3 credits
ENG 101Introduction to College Writing

3 credits
MAT 107Quantitative Analysis and Personal Finance

3 credits
Total Credit Hours:9
The MAT 107 requirement can also be satisfied by any math course higher than MAT 107

Program Core Courses

 

Course NumberTitleCredits
ID 104Principles of Design

2 credits
ID 110Color Theory

2 credits
ID 120Digital Presentation Technique

3 credits
ID 125Drafting

3 credits
ID 200Drawing and Visualization

4 credits
ID 215Textiles

2 credits
ID 225Introduction to CAD

3 credits
ID 260Historical Furnishings & Architecture

3 credits
ID 300Space Planning

4 credits
ID 305Lighting

3 credits
ID 315Kitchen & Bath (NKBA)

3 credits
ID 325Computer Design I

3 credits
ID 335Materials and Specifications

2 credits
ID 350Studio I

4 credits
ID 360Modern Furnishings & Architecture

3 credits
ID 425Computer Design II

3 credits
ID 435Codes and Regulations

3 credits
ID 450Studio II

4 credits
ID 455LEED Prep

2 credits
ID 475Business of Interior Design

3 credits
ID 480Portfolio

3 credits
ID 490NCIDQ Prep

3 credits
Total Credit Hours:65

Total Credit Hours: 85

Graduation Requirements

Minimum of 85 total semester credit hours as outlined
1. GPA of 3.0 or higher in all Interior Design courses 
2. Cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher in all courses 
3. Complete at least 50% of Interior Design courses at Ensign College 
4. Complete 2 cornerstone religion courses, plus 2 additional religion courses

 

Recommended Sequence of Courses

Depending upon the number of preparatory courses required, additional semesters may be required to complete the program.

There are three scheduling options for completing the Interior Design AAS Degree:

• Year Round – Starting in Fall 
• (Note: This is the only option that allows students to walk at graduation after Winter)
• First Summer off – Starting in Fall 
• Year Round – Starting in Winter
• Note: There are no Spring starts for the Interior Design AAS Program
6 Semesters - F/W/S/F/W/S or F/W/(Spring Off)/F/W/S/F or W/S/F/W/S/F

First Semester - Fall or Winter

ID 104, Principles of Design, 2 credits
ID 110, Color Theory, 2 credits
ID 120, Digital Presentation Techniques, 3 credits
ID 125, Drafting, 3 credits 
ID 260, Historical Furnishings & Architecture, 3 credits
CAR 101, College Success, 1 credit

Total Minimum Semester Hours 14

 

Second Semester - Winter or Spring

ID 200, Drawing and Visualization, 4 credits
ID 215, Textiles, 2 credits 
ID 225, Intro to CAD, 3 credits
ID 360, Modern Furnishings & Architecture, 3 credits
REL, Religion, 2 credits

Total Minimum Semester Hours 14

 

Third Semester - Fall or Spring

ID 300, Space Planning, 4 credits
ID 305, Lighting, 3 credits
ID 315, Kitchen and Bath (NKBA), 3 credits
COMM 122, Interpersonal Communications, 3 credits
REL, Religion, 2 credits

Total Minimum Semester Hours 15

 

Fourth Semester - Fall or Winter

ID 325, Computer Design I, 3 credits 
ID 335, Materials and Specifications, 2 credits
ID 350, Studio I, 4 credits
BAP 115, Excel and Introduction to Technology, 1 credit
MAT 107, Quantitative Analysis and Personal Finance, 3 credits, OR HIGHER 
REL, Religion - Cornerstone, 2 credits

Total Minimum Semester Hours 15

 

Fifth Semester - Winter or Spring

ID 425, Computer Design II, 3 credits
ID 435, Codes and regulations, 3 credits
ID 450, Studio II, 4 credits
ID 499**, Interior Design Internship, 1 credit 
ENG 101, Introduction to College Writing, 3 credits

Total Minimum Semester Hours 14

 

Sixth Semester - Spring or Fall

ID 455, LEED Prep, 2 credits
ID 475, Business of Interior Design, 3 credits
ID 480, Portfolio, 3 credits
ID 490, NCIDQ Prep, 3 credits
REL, Religion, 2 credits

Total Minimum Semester Hours 13

 
Total Interior Design AAS Degree Minimum Credit Hours 85

** Note: ID 499 will substitute for CAR 299 for students completing the AS degree in addition to the AAS degree, however, CAR 299 may not be a substitute for ID 499.