Interior Design
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Interior Design prepares students to work in an entry-level interior design position. The program provides both general and interior design education, which includes design, color theory and application, architectural and furniture history, drafting and computer-aided design (CAD) for interior design, space planning, interior materials, rendering, and basic codes and regulations. Studio projects allow students to identify, research, solve, and present design problems. Certificates of Completion (CCL) in areas of specialization are also available and embedded within the AAS.
The AAS in Interior Design transfers to Northern Arizona University Bachelor of Science (BS) in Interior Design. NAU will accept up to 73 credits as part of this degree program. Please speak with an NAU transfer specialist for details about this transfer option.
Details
Field of Interest
Visual and Performing Arts
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Interior Design (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3191
Total credits required
65-73
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
What You'll Learn
- Synthesize global design perspectives with consideration of social, cultural, economic, and ecological contexts in solving interior design problems.
- Apply all aspects of the design process in creatively solving design problems.
- Plan complete design solutions that integrate furnishings, fixtures, finishes, and equipment.
- Apply knowledge of the history of interiors, architecture, decorative arts, art, and related theories when solving design problems.
- Evaluate principles and theories of light and color, acoustics, thermal comfort, indoor air quality, space planning, and human factors in relation to environmental impact and human well-being.
- Synthesize information gathered through research in generating evidence-based design solutions.
- Integrate knowledge of environmentally responsible and sustainable practices in solving design problems.
- Prepare the schematic design of the built environment utilizing laws, codes, standards, and guidelines of interior construction and systems.
- Express ideas and their rationale according to architecture and interior design standards through visual media including ideation, sketches, drawings, renderings, and plans.
- Collaborate with individuals and institutions across diverse disciplines in solving design problems.
- Communicate with diverse audiences in varied settings and formats in a culturally responsive manner.
- Integrate criticism in an effective manner in the refinement of design solutions.
- Recognize industry-accepted professional ethics and conduct.
- Promote the impact of design on the human experience and the professional value interior designers provide in local, national, and global contexts.
- Apply relevant knowledge, skills, and habits of mind in seeking career opportunities in the field.
Career statistics
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Interior Designers
$56,130 Show expanded career information for Interior Designers
Retail Salespersons
$34,110 Show expanded career information for Retail Salespersons
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
$68,410 Show expanded career information for Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
There are additional career opportunities associated with this degree that do not have occupational data available for Arizona at this time. These occupations are listed below:
- Facilities Managers
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources.
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
- Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gateway course | 3 | ||||
| H, HU | 3 | ||||
| 3 | |||||
| or |
or | Critical course | 3 | ||
| or |
or | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
| OR equivalent or higher level mathematics course. | MA | 3–6 | |||
| or |
or | 1–3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HU | 3 | ||||
| 3 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| or |
or | 3 | |||
| or |
or | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
| OR equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 | |||
| or |
or | recommended for students transferring to NAU. | SB or SB | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| SB | 3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| 3 | |||||
| or |
or | Recommended: OR / OR /. | SQ or SG | 4 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| or |
or | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
| Gateway course | 3 | ||||
| or |
or | Critical course | 3 | ||
| or |
or | 1–3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OR equivalent or higher level mathematics course. | MA | 3–6 | |||
| 3 | |||||
| 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| or |
or | FYC or FYC | 3 | ||
| OR equivalent as indicated by assessment | L | 0–3 | |||
| H, HU | 3 | ||||
| or |
or | 3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| or |
or | recommended for students transferring to NAU. | SB or SB | 3 | |
| 3 | |||||
| 3 |
Term 5
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | |||||
| 3 |
Term 6
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SB | 3 | ||||
| HU | 3 | ||||
| 3 |
Term 7
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | |||||
| or |
or | Recommended: OR / OR /. | SQ or SG | 4 |
Term 8
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | |||||
| 3 |
Course Area Key
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- FYC = First Year Composition
- H = Historical Awareness
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- MA = Mathematics
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SG = Natural Sciences General
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
View MCCCD’s for additional details regarding the requirements of this award .
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.