UTSA interior design program reaccredited for six years by CIDA

UTSA interior design student projects

(April 26, 2010)--The UTSA College of Architecture bachelor of science degree program in interior design recently was awarded accreditation by unanimous decision for another six-year term by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).

The achievement comes after a rigorous two-year, self-assessment period and a four-day visit from a team of professionals and educators sent by the accreditation commission. Visiting team members completed a thorough examination of student work prepared over a six-month period, conducted interviews with students and faculty, toured the facility and met with UTSA administrators.

"With professional design programs, accreditation is critical in a context of both quality control of our curricula and marketability of our graduates," said John D. Murphy Jr., dean of the UTSA College of Architecture. "This re-accreditation reaffirms that we are continuing to provide quality preparation for the interior design industry."

Following are highlights of the strengths CIDA members found in the UTSA interior design program:

• Opportunities to complete simple to complex projects that vary widely in size and type
• Opportunities for students to interact with a variety of design professionals
• Students develop an understanding of the nature and value of integrated design practice
• Students demonstrated understanding and ability to apply sustainability concepts, principles and theories as they pertain to building methods, materials, systems and occupants
• Students gained consensus-building skills through team projects
• Students demonstrated understanding and ability to apply the elements of business practice
• Students possess strong understanding of color and light and their interaction with one another
• Students showed a strong ability to lay out and specify furniture, fixtures and equipment
• Students have a strong understanding of the principles of acoustical design and ability to apply appropriate acoustical control.
• Students showed a strong knowledge base in building systems and structures
• Students showed a strong knowledge base in history of architecture, interiors and furniture design