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Interior Design
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Interior Design prepares students to work in an entry-level interior design position. The program provides both general and interior design education, which includes design, color theory and application, architectural and furniture history, drafting and computer-aided design (CAD) for interior design, space planning, interior materials, rendering, and basic codes and regulations. Studio projects allow students to identify, research, solve, and present design problems. Certificates of Completion (CCL) in areas of specialization are also available and embedded within the AAS.
The AAS in Interior Design transfers to Northern Arizona University Bachelor of Science (BS) in Interior Design. NAU will accept up to 73 credits as part of this degree program. Please speak with an NAU transfer specialist for details about this transfer option.
Details
Field of Interest
Visual and Performing Arts
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Interior Design (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3191
Total credits required
65-73
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
What You'll Learn
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Synthesize global design perspectives with consideration of social, cultural, economic, and ecological contexts in solving interior design problems.
- Apply all aspects of the design process in creatively solving design problems.
- Plan complete design solutions that integrate furnishings, fixtures, finishes, and equipment.
- Apply knowledge of the history of interiors, architecture, decorative arts, art, and related theories when solving design problems.
- Evaluate principles and theories of light and color, acoustics, thermal comfort, indoor air quality, space planning, and human factors in relation to environmental impact and human well-being.
- Synthesize information gathered through research in generating evidence-based design solutions.
- Integrate knowledge of environmentally responsible and sustainable practices in solving design problems.
- Prepare the schematic design of the built environment utilizing laws, codes, standards, and guidelines of interior construction and systems.
- Express ideas and their rationale according to architecture and interior design standards through visual media including ideation, sketches, drawings, renderings, and plans.
- Collaborate with individuals and institutions across diverse disciplines in solving design problems.
- Communicate with diverse audiences in varied settings and formats in a culturally responsive manner.
- Integrate criticism in an effective manner in the refinement of design solutions.
- Recognize industry-accepted professional ethics and conduct.
- Promote the impact of design on the human experience and the professional value interior designers provide in local, national, and global contexts.
- Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind in seeking career opportunities in the field.
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Facilities Managers
$92,848 Show expanded career information for Facilities Managers
Interior Designers
$56,012 Show expanded career information for Interior Designers
Retail Salespersons
$26,937 Show expanded career information for Retail Salespersons
Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives
$59,829 Show expanded career information for Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
- Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INT101 | Introduction to Interior Design | Gateway course | 3 | ||
| INT115 | Historical Architecture and Furniture | H, HU | 3 | ||
| INT122 | Digital Visualization for Design | 3 | |||
| ARC141 or INT131 | Architectural CAD I: Introduction or Introduction to CAD for Interior Design | Critical course | 3 | ||
| ENG101 or ENG107 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
| MAT14+ | College Mathematics | MAT14+ OR equivalent or higher level mathematics course. | MA | 3–6 | |
| FYE101 or FYE103 | Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INT120 | Modern Architecture and Furniture | HU | 3 | ||
| INT145 | Drawing and Rendering | 3 | |||
| INT165 | Space Planning Studio | 3 | |||
| ARC142 or INT132 | Architectural CAD II: Plans and Elevations or Advanced CAD for Interior Design | 3 | |||
| ENG102 or ENG108 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 | |
| COM100 or COM110 | Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication | COM110 recommended for students transferring to NAU. | SB or SB | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INT201 | Color and Design Communication Studio | 3 | |||
| INT160 | Fabrics for Interiors | 3 | |||
| INT205 | Residential Design | 3 | |||
| INT210 | Interior Materials Studio | 3 | |||
| PSY101 | Introduction to Psychology | SB | 3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INT212 | Kitchen and Bath Studio | 3 | |||
| INT222 | Residential Design | 3 | |||
| INT242 | Interior Design Professional Practices | 3 | |||
| SQ or SG | Natural Sciences Quantitative or Natural Sciences General | Recommended: BIO108 OR GLG101/GLG103 OR FON241/FON241LL. | SQ or SG | 4 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG101 or ENG107 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
| INT101 | Introduction to Interior Design | Gateway course | 3 | ||
| ARC141 or INT131 | Architectural CAD I: Introduction or Introduction to CAD for Interior Design | Critical course | 3 | ||
| FYE101 or FYE103 | Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success | 1–3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAT14+ | College Mathematics | MAT14+ OR equivalent or higher level mathematics course. | MA | 3–6 | |
| INT122 | Digital Visualization for Design | 3 | |||
| INT145 | Drawing and Rendering | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG102 or ENG108 | First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | OR equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 | |
| INT115 | Historical Architecture and Furniture | H, HU | 3 | ||
| ARC142 or INT132 | Architectural CAD II: Plans and Elevations or Advanced CAD for Interior Design | 3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COM100 or COM110 | Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication | COM110 recommended for students transferring to NAU. | SB or SB | 3 | |
| INT160 | Fabrics for Interiors | 3 | |||
| INT165 | Space Planning Studio | 3 |
Term 5
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INT201 | Color and Design Communication Studio | 3 | |||
| INT205 | Residential Design | 3 |
Term 6
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSY101 | Introduction to Psychology | SB | 3 | ||
| INT120 | Modern Architecture and Furniture | HU | 3 | ||
| INT210 | Interior Materials Studio | 3 |
Term 7
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INT212 | Interior Materials Studio | 3 | |||
| SQ or SG | Natural Sciences Quantitative or Natural Sciences General | Recommended: BIO108 OR GLG101/GLG103 OR FON241/FON241LL. | SQ or SG | 4 |
Term 8
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| INT222 | Residential Design | 3 | |||
| INT242 | Interior Design Professional Practices | 3 |
Course Area Key
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- FYC = First Year Composition
- H = Historical Awareness
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- MA = Mathematics
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SG = Natural Sciences General
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=187167).
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.