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Kean University

What You Learn

You gain creative, technical and business skills to design interior environments for a variety of clients in a broad spectrum of settings.

  • Explore the principles of interior design and theories of human behavior

     
  • Research and analyze a client's goals and create documents, drawings, diagrams and other materials to meet client requirements

     
  • Formulate space plans using two and three dimensional design concept studies

     
  • Integrate all elements of design, including safety, functionality and aesthetics

     
  • Incorporate all public health and welfare requirements in design, including code, accessibility, environmental and sustainability guidelines

     
  • Choose colors, materials and finishes for the design concept that reflect socio-psychological, functional, maintenance, lifecycle performance, environmental and safety requirements

     
  • Prepare construction plans and specifications 

     
  • Collaborate with other design professionals

     
  • Build a professional network and gain practical experience through internships

     
  • Create a professional portfolio to launch your career

The Kean interior design program follows a systematic and coordinated methodology, including research, analysis and integration of knowledge into the creative process.

 

Faculty

Manuel Divino, Lecturer
Natalie Holmes-Mitchell, Assistant Professor
Linda O'shea, Professor
 

BFA Interior Design

Faculty:
Linda O'shea
Manuel Divino
Natalie Holmes-mitchell

Second BFA in Interior Design

Our professors are really engaged with their students. They’re always willing to help us and they’re great at what they do. Many are in the field practicing. Professor O’Shea literally held my hand through my first networking event.

Nancy Rocha
Kean interior design student Nancy Rocha

Cougars Climb Higher

At Kean, we believe learning extends far beyond the walls of our classrooms and labs. That's why we encourage you to get involved in clubs and organizations, study abroad at our campus in China or elsewhere and pursue internships that will advance your career. Find out more.

Competitions

Interior design students enter competitions and collaborate on projects with outside partners, including the IKEA Ultimate Dorm Room Challenge.

Kean interior design students competed in the IKEA Ultimate Dorm Room Challenge.
Competitions

Let's Charrette

A timed event, Let's Charrette brings student designers from varying disciplines together to create an integrated design solution for a single project.

Students collaborate at the Kean Let's Charrette workshop.
Let's Charrette

Lecture Series

The Michael Graves College Lecture Series presents leading designers, architects and professionals to discuss the ideas and trends that shape the contemporary discourse about design’s place in the wider world. 

Industrial designer Tucker Viemeister discusses design at Kean University.
Lecture Series

Careers

A BFA in interior design opens the doors to a variety of career opportunities. Possible careers include: 

  • Interior Designer/Space Planner  
    Best Accredited Colleges 2023
  • Corporate Designer
     
  • Residential Interior Designer
     
  • Healthcare Designer
     
  • Designer – Materials and Furnishings
     
  • Sustainable “Green” Designer
     
  • Kitchen and Bath Designer

#1

Best Interior Design Colleges in New Jersey for 2022, by interior-design-colleges.com.

67%

Percentage of Class of 2022 who had jobs in their field upon graduation

40%

Percentage of Class of 2022 who had internships that led to jobs after graduation

The logo of the Council for Interior Design Accreditation

Accreditation

The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) advances the interior design profession as the definitive source for quality standards and accreditation in higher education. CIDA is committed to the continuous improvement and enhancement of interior design education, and  the profession itself, by operating according to a strict set of core values.

Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)

Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA)

Student Achievement Data

Kean University

Interior Design Program

BFA in Interior Design

 “The interior design program leading to the Bachelors of Fine Arts degree is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, www.accredit-id.org, 206 Grandville Avenue, Suite 350, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503.” 

“The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, for advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations. The BFA degree in Interior Design granted by Kean University meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). For more information about NCIDQ Exam eligibility visit: https://www.cidq.org/eligibility-requirements.”

The BFA in Interior Design is a 120 credit hour degree.  It typically takes a full-time student taking approximately 15 credits per semester four years to complete the degree program. Transfer students with approximately two years of prior interior design coursework can typically complete the degree program in two years.

The following data was collected using institutional records, along with a survey of graduating seniors and recent alumni, and was administered following the graduation of the class of 2022. 

Student Attrition and Retention

92 % of students admitted in the fall of 2021 returned in the fall of 2022, putting attrition at 8%.

Graduation Rates:

Of the students graduating in 2022, 83% graduated in 4 years.

Acceptance into Graduate Programs:

3 out of 30 students who graduated in 2022 applied for graduate school, and 3 were accepted.

Job Placement Rates:

67% of students who graduated in 2022 are employed in interior design or a related profession.

Kean University Academics

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