The Bachelor of Applied Arts in Interior Design (BAA) offers a broadly-based and professionally-relevant curriculum that embraces the responsibility of preparing and inspiring the designers of the future. The BAA program provides a learning environment based on a foundation of holistic, creative problem-solving, and is accredited as a professional level degree by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). The BAA curriculum is a four-year course of study offering a combination of core courses, general education and electives that help students achieve their particular career goals.
Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from the BAA should have the skills and abilities to be employed by companies specializing in interior design services, including interior design and architectural firms who practice in commercial, institutional or residential interiors and space planning, provide furniture-related design and/or specifications, offer specialized consulting services, or participate in green-building and sustainable design projects.
Program graduates should be able to:
- Apply fundamental and essential interior design principles and practices.
- Recognize the implications of globalization on design practices and understand how social, political and physical influences shape the design of built environments.
- Utilize the principles of lighting, acoustics, thermal comfort and indoor air quality to enhance building performance and improve social and environmental well-being.
- Select and specify furniture, fixtures, equipment and finish materials on the basis of their properties and performance criteria, including environmental attributes, maintenance, installation, and life cycle cost.
- Apply ethical and accepted standards of practice for project management, project communication, and project delivery.
- Engage in multi-disciplinary teams representing a variety of collaborative and consensus building activities and professional perspectives.
- Understand the laws, codes, standards, and guidelines that impact the design of interior spaces and protect human and environmental wellbeing.
- Appraise the job market, create a search strategy and professional portfolio; leverage internship experience for career success; earn experience necessary to qualify for NCIDQ certification.
Program Eligibility and Residency
To qualify for lower-division core coursework in BC’s BAA Interior Design program, students must apply to Bellevue College and follow the required prerequisite structure. To qualify for admission to the upper-division studio sequence of BC’s BAA Interior Design program, eligible applicants must have:
- Completed the lower-division course requirements at BC, or the equivalent as determined by review of the Interior Design Program Chair. See the upper-division requirements at bellevuecollege.edu/interiordesign/apply/baa/. To graduate, students must complete at least 45 quarter credits for the degree in residence at BC, of which 30 credits must be upper division.
Degree Requirements
A complete description of the required curriculum is shown in this worksheet.
In addition to eligibility requirements, students must achieve the following:
- Complete a total of at least 191 applicable college-level quarter credits (including the 90 credits required for admission to the degree program)
- Maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the general program and concentration requirements
- Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework applied to the degree, including credits transferred from other colleges
- Complete at least 45 quarter credits for the degree in residence at BC, of which 30 credits must be upper division
Application Process
To enroll in lower-division core courses in the bachelor of applied arts program prospective students must submit the following:
- Completed general Bellevue College admission form
- Nonrefundable admission and placement fee of $55
To be considered for the upper-division studio sequence in the bachelor of applied arts program prospective students must submit the following:
- Completed Bellevue College upper-division studio application form
- Nonrefundable application fee of $125
- Official transcripts from a regionally accredited college
- Digital portfolio containing examples of your work
- Transfer students must complete a general Bellevue College admission form and pay the admission fee of $55
Application and Program Contact Information
For more information on the specific application requirements and instructions, please see the program website at bellevuecollege.edu/interiordesign/, or visit the BC Student Service Center or contact the Interior Design program manager at (425) 564-2624, indes.advisor@bellevuecollege.edu
