Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Houston

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture at the University of Houston prepares students to become design leaders and innovators through a four-year, 132-credit curriculum focused on architectural interiors, sustainability, materiality, color theory, lighting, and the social and cultural dimensions of habitable spaces. It suits students interested in combining creative design with research, material investigation, hands-on studio work, and the transformation of existing and new spaces through interdisciplinary practice.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build their design foundation through ARCH 1358 Introduction to Design Culture, ARCH 1500 Design Studio I, and ARCH 1210 History and Theory of Design Media, developing visual, conceptual, historical, and design-media skills. The foundation continues with ARCH 1501 Design Studio II and ARCH 2327 Technology I, introducing students to design development and technological aspects of the built environment.

Year 2: Students move into more specialized interior architecture studies through INAR 2501 Interior Architecture Design Studio IV, INAR 3360 Human Factors, and INAR 3300 History of Interior Architecture. INAR 3500 Interior Architecture Design Studio V further develops their ability to respond to human needs, historical contexts, and spatial design challenges.

Year 3: The curriculum becomes increasingly professional and technically focused through INAR 3501 Interior Architecture Design Studio VI, INAR 3310 Materials and Methods, and INAR 4500 Interior Architecture Design Studio VII. Students investigate materials, construction methods, advanced interior design problems, and the relationship between design concepts and their physical realization.

Year 4: Students complete INAR 4501 Interior Architecture Design Studio VIII, INAR 4393 Interior Architecture Thesis Preparation, and INAR 4360 Practice of Interior Architecture. The final year brings together advanced studio design, thesis development, and professional practice knowledge, preparing students to apply their education in interior architecture settings.

Focus Areas

Sustainability, materiality, color theory, lighting, social and cultural aspects of habitable space, interior architecture design, human factors, materials and methods, adaptive reuse, research, design-build, community-based design, computational design.

Learning Outcomes

Design thinking, spatial design, material investigation, research, visual communication, digital design, fabrication, human-centered design, interdisciplinary collaboration, professional practice, and the ability to develop design responses for existing and new interior environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

NASAD accreditation: The University of Houston states that its Interior Architecture program has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) since November 2023, with fully accredited membership and no deferrals. The university separately identifies its B.Arch. and M.Arch. as NAAB-accredited; the BS in Interior Architecture is not listed among the College's NAAB-accredited degrees.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

DesignIntelligence: The Hines College reports a #14 ranking for “Most Hired From Architecture Schools” in its 2019–2020 national survey and identifies the college among highly recognized U.S. design programs. These figures are college-level/architecture-related rankings rather than a specific BS Interior Architecture employability ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture at the University of Houston is strongly studio-based, giving students repeated opportunities to develop practical design skills through hands-on projects, material investigations, physical model making, computer-aided drawing, and digital fabrication. Students work in an open, collaborative studio environment and have access to the Hines College’s fabrication, computing, materials, and research resources, with the curriculum specifically addressing sustainability, materiality, color theory, lighting, and the social and cultural dimensions of habitable space.

Key experiential learning opportunities and resources include:

Design Studios: Students complete eight studio courses in the BS in Interior Architecture, with each studio providing a hands-on learning environment. Students have dedicated studio desks and lockers and 24-hour building access to support ongoing project development.
Design & Model Making: Foundation-level design work incorporates hand drawing, computer-aided drawing, physical model building, and digital fabrication, allowing students to move from conceptual ideas to physical and digital prototypes.
Project-Based Learning: Faculty and students work together in a studio-centric curriculum where coursework is connected to project-based learning, material investigations, and applied research.
Design-Build Projects: The Interior Architecture program exposes students to projects ranging from small-scale installations and design-build projects to large-scale adaptations of existing spaces, connecting design concepts with real spatial challenges.
Digital Fabrication: The Burdette Keeland, Jr. Design Exploration Laboratory is an 8,500-square-foot digital fabrication facility where students can develop prototypes using 3D software and specialized machinery.
Advanced Technology: The Advanced Media Technology Laboratory provides access to emerging technologies including construction robotics, full-scale 3D printing, and augmented/virtual reality.
Software & Computing: Students have access to professional design software, computer laboratories, and digital design resources, while the College identifies specialized computer software as part of the resources used in its design programs.
Materials Research: The Materials Research Collaborative (MRC) gives students access to material-focused resources and supports investigation into materials and their applications in design.
Industry Critiques: Studio projects can be presented during Jury Week, where panels of practicing architects and other design professionals critique student work and provide feedback to improve design skills.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Interior Architecture shares a foundation with Architecture and Industrial Design, while the College promotes interdisciplinary studios and collaboration across design disciplines, allowing students to work within an integrated design environment.
Architecture & Art Library: The Hines College provides an in-house Architecture and Art Library, supporting students’ design research alongside the College’s materials and computing resources.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture at the University of Houston can prepare graduates for roles such as interior designer, project designer, design visualization specialist, and interior architecture designer, with alumni examples spanning professional practice and entrepreneurship. The program also provides a pathway into further design education through the Hines College’s graduate programs, while its NASAD accreditation adds formal recognition to the Interior Architecture program.

Career Services: Hines College students receive access to career and internship support including resume and cover-letter assistance, career and major exploration, mock and on-campus interviews, workshops, career fairs, Cougar Pathway, and Alumni Career Services.
Employer Connections: The 2026 Architecture + Design Career Fair specifically connects Hines College students with employers seeking interns and full-time hires, with networking, employer meetings, and interviews.
Industry Opportunities: The 2026 career-fair employer list included Cosmati Architects, Gensler, HDR Engineering, and HKS, with positions including Interior Design Intern, Architectural Designer, Design Intern, and other design roles open to Interior Architecture students.
Graduate Outcomes: University alumni examples demonstrate progression into professional practice; one Interior Architecture graduate completed internships at a residential firm and Stantec before becoming a full-time interior designer at Stantec, while also establishing an independent design studio.
Career Development: University Career Services connects students and alumni with recruiters for career, job, and internship opportunities through Cougar Pathway, career fairs, workshops, and online career resources.
Employment Statistics: The University of Houston publishes graduation-outcome information through its Graduation Survey, but the official sources reviewed do not provide program-specific employment or salary figures for the BS in Interior Architecture; therefore, no unsupported salary figure is included.
Accreditation Value: The Hines College states that its Interior Architecture program has been accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) since November 2023, with the commission granting fully accredited membership without deferrals. The College separately identifies NAAB accreditation for its Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Architecture programs, not the BS in Interior Architecture.
Professional Development: Alumni experiences show how the degree can support careers involving interior design, workplace and institutional projects, design visualization, 3D modeling, residential and commercial work, and independent design practice.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into the University of Houston’s graduate offerings, including the Master of Architecture [MARCH +3], Master of Architecture [MARCH +2], Master of Arts in Architectural Studies, Master of Science in Architecture, and the Dual Degree Program in Construction Management and Architecture. The M.Arch +3 is a three-year professional degree for students entering without an architecture undergraduate degree, while the M.Arch +2 is a two-year professional degree intended for students who already hold an undergraduate degree in architecture or environmental design.