Become an Interior Designer

PROGRAM PATHS (Bachelor vs Master)

Choose the Program That Fits Your Goals

Bachelor of Interior Design
Our Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Interior Design program is designed to prepare you for a successful entry-level position in the field of interior design. What’s more, you get to begin your interior design courses immediately – no time wasted. Build a strong foundation in design principles, technical skills, and professional practice.

Ideal for:

• First-time college students
• Transfer students
• Career changers new to interior design

What You’ll Learn:

• Space planning & design fundamentals
• Materials, lighting, and color theory
• Technical drawing & design software
• Professional practice via externship

Explore the Bachelor’s Program

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Master of Interior Design
Advance your expertise and prepare for leadership, specialization, or teaching roles in the design industry.
Ideal for:

• Individuals with a prior degree
• Designers seeking career advancement
• Professionals exploring career change to interior design

What You’ll Learn:

• Advanced design theory & research
• Sustainable and human-centered design
• Professional leadership & project development
• High-level studio work and portfolio refinement

Explore the Master’s Program

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WHY DI? WHY STUDY INTERIOR DESIGN HERE

An Education Designed for the Real World
Our programs are built around industry expectations, not just theory.

• Studio-based learning
• Faculty who are working professionals
• Preparation for professional practice and licensure paths
• Supportive learning environment with small class sizes

Graduates pursue careers in:

• Residential & commercial interior design
• Design firms & studios
• Project coordination & management
• Creative and design-focused industries

Our legacy includes alumni who have become award-winning designers – designers who use innovation, design empathy, and sustainable and socially responsible practices to create inspiring and functional spaces throughout the world.
You will soon come to see everything we do is by design.

DI by the numbers:

• 95% Student Satisfaction in Overall Experience*
• 98% Student Satisfaction in Quality of Instruction**
• 96% of Employers would recommend a DI graduate or student***

Design Institute of San Diego is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The BFA program is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).

FAQs

What degree do I need to become an interior designer?
Most interior designers complete a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Interior Design, gaining both creative and technical training.

How long does it take?
Program length depends on your background and degree level. Bachelor’s and master’s paths offer structured timelines designed to move you efficiently toward your goals. DI has a 4-year bachelor program which accepts some transfer credits and may reduce the duration of the program. The master’s 3-year program is designed for students with previous non-design college-level education and no design experience. Alternatively, the 2-year program is for those with an educational background in design. Please contact admissions to further understand which educational path is best for you.

Do I need experience to apply?
No prior design experience is required for the bachelor’s program. The 3-year master’s program is designed for students with previous college-level education but no design experience and the 2-year track is for those with a degree in, or related to, design. To understand which track is best for you please contact admissions.

LOCATION & FLEXIBILITY

Based in San Diego. Designed for today’s students.
Study in a creative design hub with programs structured to support:

• Traditional students
• Transfer students
• Working professionals