Interior Design

Master of Interior Design

Master of Interior Design
Study of Interior Design at the BAC features the college's model of concurrent learning: practice and academics. Students work in approved, paid, supervised positions in design firms during the day – the "practice" component of the curriculum -- while studying several evenings a week at the BAC – the "academic" component of the curriculum. Although each component has a sequence of its own, the two are designed to be concurrent, allowing progress in one to facilitate learning in the other.

Concurrent Curriculum
The academic component of the curriculum encompasses both general education (Arts and Sciences) and professional education specific to Interior Design (Design Studio, History and Theory, Technology and Management, Visual Studies, and Thesis). The Design Studio sequence is at the core of the curriculum. Design studios generally meet three hours per week for review of student work. That work is typically completed between sessions and may include some in-class assignments. Additionally, instructors may schedule extra time for individual critiques, special lectures, or field trips.

In the practice component of the curriculum, students work in area firms to earn a total of 45 practice credits (4,500 working hours) in the following areas: Design Initiation, Design Implementation, Construction, Administration, and Related. One hundred hours of employment in an approved setting equals one practice curriculum credit. By fulfilling practice curriculum requirements while at the BAC, students usually earn substantial hours toward the requirements of the Interior Design Experience Program (IDEP). Upon graduation from the BAC, a student typically needs to accrue only 44 additional weeks of experience in order to be eligible for the national licensure examination by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ).

Sequence of Study
Study is organized into three segments of approximately equal length:

  • In Segment I - Foundation , students acquire basic knowledge, skills, and awareness in both general and professional education. Classes include Effective Practice Strategies, Orthogonal Drawing, AutoCAD 2-D and 3-D Drawing, Freehand Drawing, Perspective, introductory studios (A and B level), Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing/Structural/Acoustics/HVAC, etc. Many of the Segment I first-year classes combine architecture and interior design students. This gives each type of student a chance to understand what the other profession is about -- and also facilitates switching from one college to another if a student so desires.
  • In Segment II – Integration , students explore, in breadth and depth, the field of Interior Design. Emphasis is on integrating skills, knowledge, and awareness. Classes include Lighting, Textiles, Color Theory, History of Interior Design & Furniture, sustainability/green design, Art History & Criticism, Interior Design Materials, Rendering, advanced studios (residential, non-residential, furniture design & construction), Codes, among others.
  • In Segment III - Synthesis , students pursue advanced professional courses related to individual interest. Segment III concludes with Thesis the first semester or which is usually taken with Professional Practice. Each student engages in a project that covers the process of design from conception through documentation. Thesis integrates academic and practice components of the curriculum and synthesizes professional and general educational learning. Interior design thesis projects must include in-depth research into a cognitive, psychological, organizational, or other human behavioral issue, as well as a comprehensive exploration and design of an interior space.

Length of Stay
The M.ID program takes approximately 10 semesters to complete. Length of stay varies, and can be reduced, depending on prior academic and work experience and participation in the optional academic-only first-year program.

Accreditation
The MID program is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (formerly FIDER). The MID program received the full 6-year accreditation from FIDER in 2002, based on FIDER's Standards 2000.

For more Information
To find out more about applying to the Master of Interior Design program at the BAC, please contact Meredith Spinnato in the Admissions Office at (617) 585-0239 or meredith.spinnato@the-bac.edu, or the Director of the School of Interior Design, David B. Harrison, ASID, IIDA, IDEC at (617) 585-0285 or dave.harrison@the-bac.edu .

We also welcome you to visit the BAC Admissions web page to get additional information.