Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Academic Catalog 
    
2022-2023 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Interior Design, BFA


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Students majoring in Interior Design, offered by the Department of Design , draw upon a wide range of university and Bay Area community resources to prepare for professional careers in both the private and public sectors in areas such as corporate, hospitality, institutional, office and retail planning and design. Preparation involves both theoretical and practical study of interior architecture with emphasis on critical thinking, communication skills, design process, merging technologies, human factors, aesthetic sensibilities, laws, codes and regulations, and professional ethics. Admission to the BFA Interior Design program is by portfolio review, which takes place after completing preliminary course work. After admission, passage of portfolio reviews conducted at the end of each semester are required to continue to advance through the BFA IT program. All students in the Interior Design Program are required to complete a 1 unit professional internship as part of their degree requirements.

Students must pass a milestone portfolio review to remain in the BFA program. Students who do not pass the review will be changed to the Design Studies, BA .

San José State University is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), which is recognized by both the California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) and the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ).

Summary of Degree Units

University Graduation Requirements 35
Major Preparation 39
Major Requirements 43
University Electives 3
Total 120

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

Major-Specific Requirements

Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in all major preparation and major required courses. Students who drop below a 3.0 for two consecutive semesters will have their degree status changed from the BFA to the Design Studies, BA 

University Requirements


Students must satisfy all of the major and Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements , which includes unit, GPA, and residency requirements as well as the below identified General Education , American Institutions, Graduation Writing Assessment, and Physical Education requirements. Courses that meet Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements are noted with an area designation (see Course Abbreviations ).

Core Lower Division General Education (24 units)


Of the 39 units required by the university, 15 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Courses that meet GE Areas A1, A2, A3, B4, or F must be passed with a “C-” or better to meet the requirement. Consult with a major advisor for details.

Upper Division General Education (3 units)


Of the 9 units required by the university, 6 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Consult with major advisor for details.

American Institutions (6 units)


Complete one 6-unit sequence of American Institutions (US123) courses, which also satisfies GE Area D. Students may also satisfy the American Institutions Requirement  with other courses, but these may not satisfy other GE areas.

The American Studies (AMS 1A /AMS 1B ; 12 units) and Humanities Honors (HUM 1A /HUM 1B /HUM 2A /HUM 2B ; 24 units) sequences satisfy the American Institutions Requirement and additional GE Areas (see course descriptions for details).

Consult with a major advisor to select the appropriate sequence.

Asian American Studies (6 units)


U.S. History and Government (6 units)


Complete One US1: US History Course


Complete One US23: US Constitution and California Government Course


Physical Education (2 units)


All SJSU undergraduate students, regardless of major, have an opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills in physical activities. To accommodate students’ needs and interests, the university offers a diverse selection of activity courses .

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement


At SJSU, students must pass both the SJSU Writing Skills Test (WST) and a Writing in the Disciplines (100W) course. The Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)  is satisfied by a course in the major. A grade of C or better (C- not accepted) is required to meet graduation requirements.

Major Preparation (39 units)


University Electives (3 units)


Total Units Required (120 units)


Student chapters of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) contribute to this professional program.

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