Ohio State is in the process of revising websites and program materials to accurately reflect compliance with the law. While this work occurs, language referencing protected class status or other activities prohibited by Ohio Senate Bill 1 may still appear in some places. However, all programs and activities are being administered in compliance with federal and state law.

Interior Design

Do you see the world not just as it is—but as it could be?

At Ohio State Design, our Interior Design program empowers you to reimagine the spaces where people live, work, learn, and heal. Whether you're inspired by the energy of a bustling workplace, the calm of a healing environment, or the elegance of a hospitality space, this is where your vision becomes reality.

You’ll explore how human needs, environmental conditions, and spatial opportunities intersect—learning to design interiors that are not only beautiful, but functional, inclusive, and sustainable. Through a powerful blend of design studios and hands-on coursework, you’ll gain the technical skills, theoretical knowledge, and research-driven mindset needed to become a leader in the field.

From day one, you’ll be immersed in collaborative, real-world design challenges that prepare you to shape commercial, educational, healthcare, and private environments of all scales. And when it’s time to graduate, your final project will showcase your ability to think independently, design with purpose, and create spaces that truly make a difference.

Are you ready to design spaces that inspire and support the people who use them?

Join us at Ohio State’s Interior Design program—and start building the future, one space at a time.
 

What is the Interior Design Major?

The Interior Design program at The Ohio State University prepares students to design environments that enhance human experience and well-being. With a strong emphasis on commercial, workplace, hospitality, educational, and healthcare spaces, students learn to apply design thinking and research to create functional, sustainable, and aesthetically compelling interiors. The curriculum blends studio practice with technical and theoretical coursework, encouraging students to explore spatial design opportunities informed by environmental conditions and user needs. Collaboration and sustainability are key pillars of the program, helping students develop holistic approaches to interior design. Throughout their studies, students engage in real-world challenges and interdisciplinary projects, culminating in a final capstone that demonstrates their ability to work independently and lead in the field of environmental design.

"Interior Design influences how we feel, interact, work, learn and heal within the spaces we inhabit—transforming spaces into experiences."

Susan Melsop, Interior Design Coordinator

Curriculum and Course Sequence

A Collaborative First-Year Experience

All Design students begin in the 18-credit hour collaborative Design Foundations program. This is a shared first-year experience where all design students build core creative, technical, and collaborative skills before applying to their chosen major.
 

Explore Design Foundations!

Students gathered around a table collaborating on a design project.

Second Year and Beyond...

Second Year 

Autumn

Spring

Third Year

Autumn

Spring

Fourth Year

Autumn

Spring

History of Art Minor

Interior Design students* are required to complete a minor in History of Art—a meaningful collaboration between Design and the Department of History of Art that deepens creative perspective and adds value to your degree.

The minor includes five courses (15 credit hours), with Design 2750 counting toward both the major and minor. Design 5750 is a recommended upper-level option. At least two courses must be at the 4000-level or above.

This required minor doesn’t limit your academic path—you’re free to pursue additional minors and customize your experience.

* The History of Art Minor is only required for students on the GE-N curriculum. Students who started at Ohio State prior to AU2022, and are therefore on the GE-L curriculum, have a similar number of HISTART courses in their GE-L requirements. 

** DESIGN 5750  is required of all Interior Design major students on Legacy GE. It is strongly recommended as one of upper-division options in required History of Art Minor for all students on New GE.

Advising Sheet | GE-N [PDF]
Advising Sheet | GE-L [PDF]
Course Catalog
Capstone Projects
Research Distinction Projects
Technology Requirements

Gain Experiences & Discover Your Passion

Opportunities to become fully engaged in an experience are instrumental to discovering your passion. Internships will give you the experience you need to differentiate yourself from other candidates, support your career goals, contribute to your skill set and determine how your career exploration process and focus may need to be modified to support your long-term goals. Employers are looking for graduates that have already taken the next step to becoming professionals in their field.

Student Achievement Data

2018-2019 Academic Year

  • Job Placement: 92%
  • Graduate Program Acceptance: 100% of students who applied.
  • 4-Year Graduation Rate: TBD 
  • Retention: 100% of the students enrolled during the previous academic year returned.

2017-2018 Academic Year

  • Job Placement: 87%
  • Graduate Program Acceptance: 100% of students who applied.
  • 4-Year Graduation Rate: 80% 
  • Retention: 100% of the students enrolled during the previous academic year returned.

CIDA Accreditation Status

The interior design program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, www.accredit-id.org, 206 Grandville Avenue, 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 Science in Design granted by The Ohio State Univieristy meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). For more information about NCIDQ Exam eligibility visit: https://www.cidq.org/eligibility-requirements.

The state of Ohio does not currently require licensure or registration, to work as an Interior Designer. If you plan to pursue licensure or registration in a state other than Ohio, please review state educational requirements for licensure and registration and state licensing board contact information at go.osu.edu/onground. Many other states do already, or are working towards, requirements to attend CIDA accredited programs and/or passing the NCIDQ. 

Alumna Brooke Somogyi (BSD, 2017) with colleagues at Design Group.
Alumna Christa Christian (BSD, 2011) working for multi-disciplinary firm with a specialization in senior living communities.

Career Prospects in Interior Design

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Design take positions with design consulting offices, corporate design departments, and government design agencies. Interior designers often work with architects, building owners and managers, furniture dealers and manufacturers, and contractors to plan and organize the elements of space for effective environments.

The work of design occurs in either the context of consultant design, where independent design firms provide services to clients, or in the context of corporate, governmental, or non-governmental/not-for-profit design, where design services are provided within an organization.

Consultant design offices can be as small as one person -- an office of 15-20 people is considered relatively large -- and the largest might employ 100 or more. Consultant offices may specialize in one design discipline, or even a subcategory of that specialty. Consultant offices can also be multidisciplinary, and employ designers from all categories, as well as engineers, researchers, marketing and human factors experts, etc.

Corporate design groups exist in all major industries, and employ designers of all disciplines. Organizations with large corporate facilities often maintain an internal interior design department.

Design offers many opportunities for a challenging career. Many designers begin with project work, and advance to research, coordination and management. Planning activities often place designers in the role of analyzing business trends, and establishing strategic goals for design activities. Many organizations value the contributions designers make to their businesses, and provide good opportunities for advancement.

Professional Organizations

Professional organizations play an important role in the development of design disciplines and provide valuable resources to their student and professional members. The following organizations are all relevant to Interior Design.

Looking to hire a Design student? 

Employers seeking to hire for internships and/or full-time opportunities are encouraged to work with the Center for Career and Professional Success to post openings via Handshake.