The Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Architecture is a four-year professional program accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). The program develops students' creativity in the design and planning of interior spaces by emphasizing the process and communication of design. Students learn the art of design, drawing from physical and social sciences to understand the interaction of people and their environment, along with the history of design. Insight into professional practice is enhanced through internship experiences.
Design Studies faculty are leading scholars in design research with design industry experience developing innovative and creative spaces. Students benefit from faculty’s expertise, mentoring, and industry connections.
Through classroom learning, hands-on projects, and internships, students develop verbal and visual communication skills while gaining exposure to both residential and commercial interiors. The program has a competitive admissions process that involves two phases.
Coursework includes everything related to the design process and products, including environment-behavior studies, design visulization, computer drafting and design, 3D modeling, art and art history, business, and engineering. Studio spaces, a resource center containing catalogs and samples, plus a digital fabrication lab and computer laboratory provide physical support for the Interior Architecture student experience.
In preparation for graduation, students develop a professional portfolio to demonstrate their expertise and creativity.
How to Get in
Current UW–Madison Students
Current UW-Madison students declaring Pre-Interior Architecture
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | No application required. All students who meet the requirements listed below are able to declare. For information on how to declare, see: https://go.wisc.edu/sohe-declare. |
| Courses required to get in | None. |
| GPA requirements to get in |
|
| Credits required to get in | None. |
| Other | Must be in good academic standing with their current school or college. |
Pre-Interior Architecture students applying to Interior Architecture
| Requirements | Details |
|---|---|
| How to get in | Application required. Meeting the requirements listed below does not guarantee admission.(https://go.wisc.edu/sohe-apply) |
| Courses required to get in | |
| GPA requirements to get in | None. |
| Credits required to get in | None. |
| Other | In the case that student interest for spring courses exceeds course capacity, student ranking in fall courses (DS 120, DS 221, and DS 252) and academic performance will be used to determine priority enrollment in the required spring courses. Enrollment in spring courses is not guaranteed and may be limited by permission based on class rankings and academic performance. |
| Semester | Deadline to apply | Decision notification timeline |
|---|---|---|
| To apply for a fall start | Application opens during the latter half of the spring semester and closes in late April. | Decisions will be made once the spring coursework is completed. |
| To apply for a spring start | This program does not accept applications to start in the spring. | |
| To apply for a summer start | This program does not accept applications to start in the summer. |
Additional Information
Transfer students may take longer to complete their degree than students entering the program as freshmen, as they too must complete the Courses required to get in, which contain specialized courses that must be taken sequentially.
There are typically 32 available spots each application cycle. This is an industry standard to ensure appropriate student to faculty ratio.
Upon acceptance into the major students must purchase a laptop computer based on minimum hardware specification and software licenses determined by the department and updated regularly. Students also have the option, but are not required, to purchase a laptop computer before acceptance into the program.
Prospective UW-Madison Students
All prospective UW–Madison students must apply through the central Office of Admissions and Recruitment.
Freshmen should declare their intention to pursue Interior Architecture when they apply for admission to UW–Madison. In addition, students may indicate interest in Interior Architecture when registering for Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR).
University Requirements
All undergraduate students must complete both the following Core General Education (Core GenEd) and University Degree and Quality of Work requirements. The requirements below apply to students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution is Summer 2026 or later.
Students whose first term at UW-Madison or whose earliest post-high school college attendance at any institution occurred before Summer 2026 should refer to the archived Guide for the requirements that apply to them.
Core General Education (Core GenEd) Requirements
| Civics & Perspectives | 3 credits of Civics & Perspectives coursework. |
| Communication & Literacy | 6 credits of Communication & Literacy coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingenglishplacement |
| Humanities & Arts | 6 credits of Humanities & Arts coursework. |
| Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning | 6 credits of Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning coursework. This requirement may be partially satisfied by a qualifying placement test score. For more information see this tiny url: https://go.wisc.edu/qualifyingmathplacement |
| Natural Science & Wellness | Complete both:
|
| Social & Behavioral Science | 3 credits of Social & Behavioral Science coursework. |
| Total Credits | 30 credits. |
For more information see the policy.
University Degree and Quality of Work Requirements
All undergraduate degree recipients must complete the following minimum requirements. Requirements for some programs will exceed these requirements; see program requirements for additional information.
| Total Degree | 120 degree credits. |
| Residency | Complete 30 credits in residence. A course is considered “in residence” if it is taken when in undergraduate degree-seeking status and:
|
| Quality of Work | Achieve at least the minimum grade point average specified by the school, college, and/or academic program. |
| Math | Demonstrate minimal mathematics competence by: |
| English Language | If required to take the UW-Madison English as a Second Language Assessment Test (MSN-ESLAT), demonstrate minimal English language competence by:
|
| Language | Complete one:
|
| Major Declaration | Declare and complete the requirements for at least one major. |
School of Human Ecology BS Requirements
All Human Ecology majors share the requirements listed below. Each major has additional requirements. A single course can simultaneously count toward university, school, and major requirements if it carries the relevant designations
| Human Ecology Breadth | 6 credits in the School of Human Ecology (CNSR SCI, CSCS, DS, HDFS, INTER-HE) taken outside of the home department of the major. Excludes INTER-HE 202 or 601. |
| Communication A | Complete either:
|
| Communication B | One course with the Communication B designation. |
| Quantitative Reasoning A | Complete either:
|
| Quantitative Reasoning B | One course with the Quantitative Reasoning B designation. |
| Humanities/Literature/Arts | 9 credits with the Humanities, Literature, or Language designations. |
| Social Science | 9 credits with the Social Sciences designation. |
| Natural Science | 9 credits with the Biological, Natural, or Physical Science designations. |
| Ethnic Studies | 3 credits with the Ethnic Studies designation. |
Graduation Requirements
| Cumulative Credits | Students must earn 120 degree credits. |
| Quality of Work | Students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000 to remain in good standing and be eligible for graduation. |
| Residency | Students must complete 30 degree credits in residence at UW–Madison. |
Interior Architecture Requirements
A complete list of requirements is below. Students should follow the curriculum requirements in place at the time they entered the major. This requirement list should be used in combination with a DARS report.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Arts | ||
| Choose one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Dimensions of Material Culture | ||
| Phase One: Design Core | ||
| DS 120 | Design: Fundamentals I | 3 |
| DS 220 | Design: Fundamentals II | 3 |
| DS 221 | Person and Environment Interactions | 3 |
| DS 140 | Visual Thinking - Form and Space | 3 |
| Phase Two: Professional Course Sequence | ||
| Interior Architecture Studio Core | ||
| DS 222 | Interior Design I | 4 |
| DS 322 | Interior Design II | 4 |
| DS 622 | Interior Design III | 4 |
| DS 623 | Interior Design IV | 4 |
| DS 626 | Interior Design V | 4 |
| Content Area Courses | ||
| DS 223 | Interior Architectural Design | 3 |
| DS 224 | Interior Materials and Finishes | 3 |
| DS 241 | Visual Communication I | 3 |
| DS 242 | Visual Communication II | 3 |
| DS 321 | Problem-definition: Design Programming | 3 |
| DS 421 | History of Architecture and Interiors I: Antiquity through 18th Century | 3 |
| DS 422 | History of Architecture & Interiors II: 19th and 20th Centuries | 3 |
| DS 451 | Color Theory and Technology | 3 |
| DS 549 | Environmental Control Systems: Lighting, Acoustics, and Thermal Comfort in Buildings | 3 |
| DS 624 | Interior Architecture Professional Practice | 3 |
| DS 679 | Research Methods in Design | 3 |
| Career Readiness | ||
| DS 252 | Design Leadership Symposium | 1 |
| INTER-HE 202 | SoHE Career & Leadership Development | 1 |
| INTER-HE 601 | Internship | 3 |
| Design Focus 1 | ||
| Select 6 credits in consultation with your Human Ecology academic advisor | 6 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select electives to meet minimum total of 120 degree credits | ||
- 1
Design Focus courses are intended to be an opportunity for students to develop more depth and uniqueness to their course of study. See Design Focus course list below. Please work with your Human Ecology academic advisor to seek approval for coursework taken outside of Design Studies.
Design Focus course list
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| DS 101 | Introduction to Textile Design | 3 |
| DS 227 | Textile Design: Printing and Dyeing I | 3 |
| DS 251 | The Science of Textiles - Performance & Properties | 3 |
| DS 252 | Design Leadership Symposium (May be taken twice) | 1 |
| DS/ANTHRO/ART HIST/HISTORY/LAND ARC 264 | Dimensions of Material Culture | 4 |
| DS 341 | Design Thinking for Transformation | 3 |
| DS 361 | Study Abroad: Design Related International Experience | 1-6 |
| DS 501 | Special Topics (offerings vary by semester) | 1-3 |
| DS/COMP SCI/I SY E 518 | Wearable Technology | 3 |
| DS 521 | Environments of Crisis & Design | 3 |
| DS 527 | Global Artisans | 3 |
| DS 561 | Textiles: Specifications and End Use Analysis | 3 |
| DS/COMP SCI 579 | Virtual Reality | 3 |
| DS/LAND ARC 639 | Culture and Built Environment | 3 |
Learning Outcomes
- Grounded in the history and theory relevant to the built environment and human behavior.
- Intellectual skills for inquiry, creative thinking, and critical analysis.
- Professional skills that prepare them for applying what they have learned to create new knowledge and solve problems in a real world setting.
- Apply the design process to identify and explore complex problems and generate creative solutions that optimize the human experience within the interior environment. This includes the ability to apply research and the principles and theories of Design to their solutions.
- Apply their knowledge of building materials and systems, building construction, and industry specific codes, standards and guidelines in order to enhance the health, safety, welfare and performance of building occupants.
Four-Year Plan
This is a sample four-year plan for Interior Architecture. It is intended as a general guide and may not reflect the most current course offerings or requirement designations. We encourage all students to work with their academic advisor to develop an individualized plan and to verify all degree requirements through their DARS report.
| Freshman | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| DS 120 | 3 | DS 220 | 3 | ||
| DS 221 | 3 | DS 264 or any Art History course | 3-4 | ||
| DS 252 | 1 | DS 140 | 3 | ||
| Communication A | 3 | Communication B | 3-4 | ||
| Ethnic Studies | 3 | Quantitative Reasoning A | 3-4 | ||
| Science | 3 | ||||
| 16 | 15-18 | ||||
| Sophomore | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| DS 222 | 4 | DS 322 | 4 | ||
| DS 224 | 3 | DS 242 | 3 | ||
| DS 241 | 3 | DS 422 | 3 | ||
| DS 421 | 3 | INTER-HE 202 | 1 | ||
| Science | 3 | Social Science | 3 | ||
| 16 | 14 | ||||
| Junior | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| DS 223 | 3 | DS 623 | 4 | INTER-HE 601 | 3 |
| DS 321 | 3 | DS 549 | 3 | ||
| DS 622 | 4 | DS 624 | 3 | ||
| Design Focus | 3 | DS 679 | 3 | ||
| Humanities | 3 | ||||
| 16 | 13 | 3 | |||
| Senior | |||||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| DS 626 | 4 | Human Ecology Breadth | 3 | ||
| DS 451 | 3 | Humanities | 3 | ||
| Human Ecology Breadth | 3 | Social Science | 3 | ||
| Design Focus | 3 | Science | 3 | ||
| Social Science | 3 | ||||
| 16 | 12 | ||||
| Total Credits 121-124 | |||||
Advising and Careers
Advising & Career Center
The Advising & Career Center (ACC) fosters undergraduate students' personal, academic, and professional development. Through advising, academic planning, and career education, we support students as they navigate the college experience—from exploring our majors as prospective students to becoming Human Ecology alumni.
Academic Advising
Each Human Ecology student is assigned to an academic advisor in the Advising & Career Center. Human Ecology academic advisors support academic and personal success by partnering with current and prospective Human Ecology students as they identify and clarify their educational goals, develop meaningful academic plans, and pursue their own Wisconsin Experience.
To explore academic advising resources or schedule an appointment with Human Ecology academic advisor, visit Academic Advising in Human Ecology.
Career Development
Each Human Ecology student is assigned to a career advisor in the Advising & Career Center. Active engagement in the career development process is a vital component of a student’s personal growth in college and future success as a lifelong learner, professional, and global citizen. Human Ecology career advisors help prepare students for life post-graduation through advising and integration of career readiness throughout our curriculum.
To explore career development resources or schedule an appointment with a Human Ecology career advisor, visit Career Development in Human Ecology.
For information about possible career paths related to this major, check out What Can I Do With A Major In Interior Architecture?
Wisconsin Experience
Internships
Internships are a vital component of student career development and a highly valued part of the undergraduate curriculum in the School of Human Ecology. By bringing classroom theories to life in real-world settings, high-quality internships foster essential professional development. They provide a unique opportunity for students to explore careers related to their major, gain hands-on experience in a field of interest, and understand workplace expectations by performing professional tasks in their chosen field.
For Human Ecology majors, completing an internship is a required part of the undergraduate curriculum. To fulfill this requirement, students must meet the following criteria:
- Enrollment Requirements: Have at least junior standing (54+ credits) and taken INTER-HE 202 (SoHE Career & Leadership Development) before pursuing the internship.
- Time Commitment: Complete a minimum of 150 hours at the internship site to earn 3 academic credits.
- Eligibility & Approval: Secure an internship that is educational in nature, directly related to their major and career goals, and verified and approved by the Advising & Career Center.
- Note: Additional course prerequisites may be required for certain Human Ecology majors.
For more information and step-by-step guidance, please visit Human Ecology Internships.
Student Organizations
To see our active list of Human Ecology Student Orgs and for more information about joining, please visit Human Ecology Student Organizations.
Learn more about UW–Madison registered student organizations through the Wisconsin Involvement Network.
Resources and Scholarships
Scholarships
The School of Human Ecology (SoHE) awards many merit and need-based scholarships each year. Students can learn more about these opportunities on the Human Ecology scholarships webpage. To be eligible for these awards, scholarship recipients must be registered as full-time Human Ecology students. For further questions on the scholarship application, please contact the School of Human Ecology Scholarship Coordinator at scholarships@sohe.wisc.edu.
Support Resources
Human Ecology students experiencing personal, academic, or financial challenges should contact SoHE Academic Deans Services. Additional campus resources include the Financial Aid Basic Needs website, Office of Student Assistance and Support, and University Health Services.
Accreditation
Council for Interior Design Accreditation
Accreditation status: Accredited. Next accreditation review: 2030.