Bachelor of Fine Arts with a Major in Interior Architecture

Push the boundaries of design while conceptualizing three-dimensional spaces in George Washington University’s Interior Architecture program. We offer students a unique opportunity to study, learn, and create within a creative environment at a major research university. Students learn to design three-dimensional spaces through the use of dynamic concepts, cutting-edge materials, and innovative methods and techniques. Students benefit from our Washington, DC, location; the program has access to exhibits, trade shows, lectures, and renowned architects and designers, as well as connections for internships and practicum opportunities. In DC alone, the creative sector includes more than 75,000 jobs generating five billion dollars annually across the design, media, and other creative/artistic fields, with career possibilities always growing. Graduates of our program have careers at Waldo's Designs, Deborah Berke Partners, Mark Cunningham Inc., Freelance Space Planning & Design, Washington Workplace, and establish their own practices.

Visit the program website for additional information.

For information about the admission process, including deadlines, visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website. Applications can be submitted via the Common Application.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
The George Washington University
800 21st St NW Suite 100
Washington, DC 20052

For questions visit undergraduate.admissions.gwu.edu/contact-us.

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs.

60 credits in program-specific coursework.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required
CIAR 2100	Studio 1
CIAR 2125	Introduction to Graphic Communications
CIAR 2150	Beginning Sketching for Designers
CIAR 3200	Studio 2
CIAR 3225	Understanding Materials and Color
CIAR 3250	Introductory Digital Design Tools
CIAR 3300	Studio 3
CIAR 3325	Interior Design History and Culture
CIAR 3350	Basic Sustainability Design Strategies
CIAR 4400	Studio 4
CIAR 4425	Fundamentals of Lighting and Acoustics
CIAR 4450W	Pre-Design for Studio 5
CIAR 4500	Studio 5
CIAR 4525W	Professional Practice
CIAR 4550	Building Systems Methods and Processes

In addition to the University General Education Requirement, undergraduate students in Columbian College must complete a further, College-specific general education curriculum—Perspective, Analysis, Communication (G-PAC) as well as the course CCAS 1001 First-Year Experience. Together with the University General Education Requirement, G-PAC engages students in active intellectual inquiry across the liberal arts. Students achieve a set of learning outcomes that enhance their analytical skills, develop their communication competencies, and invite them to participate as responsible citizens who are attentive to issues of culture, diversity, and privilege.

Coursework for the University General Education Requirement is distributed as follows:

• One course in critical thinking in the humanities.

• Two courses in critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, or scientific reasoning in the social sciences.

• One course that has an approved oral communication component.

• One course in quantitative reasoning (must be in mathematics or statistics).
• One course in scientific reasoning (must be in natural and/or physical laboratory sciences).
• UW 1020 University Writing (4 credits).
• After successful completion of UW 1020, 6 credits distributed over at least two writing in the discipline (WID) courses taken in separate semesters. WID courses are designated by a "W" appended to the course number. 

Coursework for the CCAS G-PAC requirement is distributed as follows:

• Arts—one approved arts course that involves the study or creation of artwork based on an understanding or interpretation of artistic traditions or knowledge of art in a contemporary context.
• Global or cross-cultural perspective—one approved course that analyzes the ways in which institutions, practices, and problems transcend national and regional boundaries.
• Local or civic engagement—one approved course that develops the values, ethics, disciplines, and commitment to pursue responsible public action.
• Natural or physical science—one additional approved laboratory course that employs the process of scientific inquiry (in addition to the one course in this category required by the University General Education Requirement).
• Humanities—one additional approved humanities course that involves critical thinking skills (in addition to the one course in this category required by the University General Education Requirement).
• CCAS 1001 First-Year Experience

Certain courses are approved to fulfill GPAC requirements in more than one category.

Courses taken in fulfillment of G-PAC requirements may also be counted toward majors or minors. Transfer courses taken prior to, but not after, admission to George Washington University may count toward the University General Education Requirement and G-PAC, if those transfer courses are equivalent to GW courses that have been approved by the University and the College.

Lists of approved courses in the above categories are included on each undergraduate major's page in this Bulletin.