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Interior Design & Fashion Merchandising, B.S.


Interior Design Concentration


The Interior Design Concentration curriculum covers all areas of commercial and residential design. Design principles are applied to interiors that include offices, restaurants, retail and hospitality facilities, healthcare facilities, as well as single and multi-family residences. Emphasis is placed on computer technology and aspects of universal design and sustainability as good design practices.

Interior Design and Fashion Studies (5016)


  • Undergraduate
  • Bachelor of Science
  • Health and Human Services
  • Applied Human Sciences

Overview

The major in Interior Design and Fashion Studies (reference number 531) requires a minimum of 78-81 semester hours and leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. 

Concentrations

  • Interior Design (CINT)
  • Fashion Studies (FAST)

Program Requirements (78-81 hours)

A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.

Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.

The major in Interior Design and Fashion Studies (reference number 531) requires a minimum of 78-81 semester hours and leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. The program offers two concentrations: Fashion Studies (78 hours) and Interior Design (81 hours). Course work in the major is sequential and most classes are taught once a year. Students seeking the Interior Design concentration need to plan for four years (8 Semesters) to complete the studio sequence of course work. Common core courses for both concentrations include: IDFM 120, IDFM 221, IDFM 222IDFM 410, IDFM 421MKT 220, and MKT 331. A grade of “C” or above must be earned in the required major/support courses. No minor or second major is required.

Fashion Studies Concentration

Course List
IDFM 120Visual Design I3
IDFM 131Basic Apparel Construction3
IDFM 165 (Fashion Appreciation - Spring 2026 implementation)3
IDFM 221Visual Design II3
IDFM 222IDFM Computer Aided Design3
IDFM 223Textiles3
IDFM 231Textile and Apparel Quality Analysis3
IDFM 322Merchandising I for IDFM3
IDFM 332History of 20th Century Fashion3
IDFM 325Sustainability in the Fashion Industry3
IDFM 333Fashion Fundamentals3
IDFM 335Apparel Design Production3
IDFM 410IDFM Internship3
IDFM 421Portfolio Design3
IDFM 431Clothing and Human Behavior3
IDFM 433Fashion Synthesis3
IDFM 436Global Apparel Merchandising & Promotion3
IDFM 437Fashion’s Luxury Landscape3
IDFM 438Merchandising II for IDFM3
MGT 210Organization and Management3
MKT 220Basic Marketing Concepts3
MKT 331Social Media Marketing3
Select 12 hours of electives selected with the advisor from the following:12
IDFM 226
Fashion Illustration
IDFM 310
Pattern Making and Draping
IDFM 423
Human Environment Study Tour
IDFM 434
History of Costume
IDFM 244
Digital Design Tools
IDFM 313
Practicum in Interior Design Fashion Merchandising
IDFM 424
Historic Textiles
IDFM 426
Design Market Trends
MKT 321
Consumer Behavior
MKT 325
Personal Selling
MKT 329
Business-To-Business Marketing
MKT 423
Supply Chain Management
MKT 424
Sales Force Management
MKT 427
Entrepreneurial Marketing
AD 240
Advertising in a Digital World
COMM 348
Interpersonal Communication
COMM 365
Intercultural Communication
Total Hours78

Interior Design Concentration

Course List
IDFM 101Foundations of Interior Design1
IDFM 120Visual Design I3
IDFM 151Survey of Architecture and Interiors I3
IDFM 152Survey of Architecture and Interiors II3
IDFM 201Interior Design Studio I4
IDFM 221Visual Design II3
IDFM 222IDFM Computer Aided Design3
IDFM 243Materials and Finishes for Interior Design3
IDFM 300Interior Design Studio II4
IDFM 301Interior Design Studio III4
IDFM 302Interior Design Studio IV4
IDFM 304Lighting and Environmental Controls3
IDFM 344Revit for Interiors I3
IDFM 401Interior Design Studio V4
IDFM 402Senior Design Thesis4
IDFM 403Business Principles and Practices for Interior Design2
IDFM 410IDFM Internship3
IDFM 421Portfolio Design3
IDFM 427Revit for Interiors II3
MKT 220Basic Marketing Concepts3
MKT 331Social Media Marketing3
ART 105History of Art to 13003
or ART 106 History of Art Since 1300
Select 12-elective-hours with the advisor from the following:12
IDFM 308
Design and the Human Lifecycle
IDFM 313
Practicum in Interior Design Fashion Merchandising
IDFM 360
Kitchen & Bath Design Studio
IDFM 347
Furniture Design
IDFM 345
Design for Food Service Operations
IDFM 400
Special Problems in Interior Design
IDFM 423
Human Environment Study Tour
IDFM 446
Restoration of Historic Interiors
IDFM 448
Interior Illustration
HORT 209
Floral Design
HORT 309
Advanced Floral Design
HMD 452
Quality and Service Management in the Hospitality Industry
MKT 325
Personal Selling
VJP 131
Fundamentals of Photography
ENG 306
Business Writing
PSY 371
The Psychology of Sales Behavior
Total Hours81

 Students must earn a C or better in all required major/support courses and must have a minimum 2.5 GPA in the major. 

Finish in Four Plans

Fashion Studies Concentration

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
ENG 1003IDFM 1313 
IDFM 1203COMM 1453 
IDFM 165HIST 101 or HIST 1023 
MATH 109 or MATH 1163ENG 2003 
Major/Minor/Elective or World Language3PSY 100 or PSYS 1003 
 12 15 
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
IDFM 2223IDFM 2213 
IDFM 2233IDFM 2313 
ENG 3003IDFS Elective3 
Colonnade - Natural & Physical Sciences w/ no lab3Colonnade - Natural & Physical Science w/ lab3 
IDFS Major Elective3Colonnade - Local to Global3 
 15 15 
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHoursSummerHours
IDFM 4313MKT 2203IDFM 4103
IDFM 3353Colonnade - Systems3 
IDFM 3223IDFS Major Elective3 
IDFM 3323Major/Minor/Elective3 
IDFM 3333IDFM 3253 
 15 15 3
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
IDFM 4213IDFM 4333 
IDFM 4383IDFS Major Elective3 
MGT 2103IDFS Major Elective3 
IDFM 4373IDFM 4363 
MKT 3313  
 15 12 
Total Hours 117

Interior Design Concentration

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
IDFM 1203IDFM 1523 
IDFM 1513IDFM 2213 
ART 105 or ART 1063IDFM 1011 
ENG 1003IDFS Major Elective3 
MATH 109 or MATH 1163ENG 2003 
 COMM 1453 
 15 16 
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
PSY 1003IDFM 3004 
IDFM 2014IDFM 3443 
IDFM 2433MKT 2203 
IDFM 2223HIST 101 or HIST 1023 
IDFS Major ElectiveColonnade - Social & Cultural3 
 13 16 
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHoursSummerHours
IDFM 3014IDFM 3024IDFM 4103
IDFM 3043Colonnade- Natural & Physical Science w/ no lab3 
IDFM 4273IDFS Major Elective3 
Colonnade-Natural & Physical Science w/ lab3Colonnade-Social & Behavioral Sciences3 
Colonnade - Local to Global3  
 16 13 3
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours 
IDFM 4014IDFM 4024 
IDFM 4213IDFM 4032 
MKT 3313ENG 3003 
IDFS Major Elective3Colonnade - Systems3 
Major/Elective or World Language3  
 16 12 
Total Hours 120

The Commons at Helm Library 


National Association of Schools of Art and Design Accreditation

The Interior Design program at Western Kentucky University is pleased to announce that it has received notice that the Interior Design Bachelor of Science degree has been granted accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).   This accreditation took effect in October 2016.


The mission of the Interior Design program is to develop future professionals who will advance the profession and contribute, through their designs, to the safety, well-being, and health of the individuals, businesses, and communities they serve.

Goals for the Interior Design Program are the following:

  • Student centered-program that promotes academic freedom, inquiry and freedom of expression.
  • Develop practical, technical and organizational skills needed for a global society.
  • Refine abilities to formulate practical and creative solutions relevant to the needs of society.
  • Engage students in the exploration of historical, multi-cultural, global and future oriented perspectives.
  • Promote design as essential in the cultural and intellectual life of society.
  • Research based, resource utilizing and embracing new technology.
  • Develop professional exposure of the design community.

The Interior Design major at WKU is comprised of 81 hours in the major and 42 hours of general education and other electives to total 125 hours. The central purpose of this program is to prepare graduates who can successfully design interior spaces which satisfy the functional and aesthetic needs of the users. Specifically, graduates will be able to identify, research, and creatively solve problems pertaining to the function and quality of the interior environment and perform services relative to its design, including programming, analysis, space planning and aesthetics based on specialized knowledge of interior construction, building codes, equipment, materials and furnishings. Graduates will have skills for preparing drawings and documents relative to the design in order to enhance and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.

NCIDQ Exam | Interior Design Certification | NCIDQ Certificate

NCIDQ Certification Earned Through Examination To earn certification, qualified interior designers can apply to take the NCIDQ Exam. After CIDQ approves their eligibility, candidates purchase and schedule each of the three sections of the exam and must pass each section within a specified time-frame.

If you decide to purchase a laptop, please choose a PC, as MAC computers are not compatible with the design software you will be using, such as Revit and AutoCAD. Select a laptop that has sufficient storage space(1TB) and between 16 to 32 GB of RAM.

  • IDFM 401 Interior Design Studio V
  • IDFM 402 Senior Design Thesis
  • IDFM 151 Interior Design and Architectural Survey I
  • IDFM 152 Interior Design and Architectural Survey II
  • IDFM 345 Design for Foodservice Facilities
  • IDFS 448 Interior Design Illustration

 

Graduation


Scholarships & Financial Aid


  • 270-745-3944
  • kristina.arnold@wku.edu
  • Western Kentucky University
    Ivan Wilson Fine Arts Center, 4th Floor
    1906 College Heights Blvd
    Bowling Green, KY 42101

 


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 Last Modified 6/25/26