Professional Standards

The responsibilities of the interior designer encompass all spaces within environments built for human habitation. Toward that end, educational philosophies and goals should be applied in the development of a creative professional who can synthesize information and analyze problems from many different perspectives. However, new technologies also influence the skills and knowledge required of interior designers. Thus, the best preparation for the future is an education that will enable graduates to adapt to a changing world.

The Professional Standards set forth by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation are used to evaluate interior design programs that prepare students for entry-level interior design practice and position them for future professional growth. The Council is firmly committed to setting high standards for interior design education, challenging others to meet and exceed those standards and seeking ways to continuously elevate and evolve the standards, thus significantly contributing to the advanced professionalism of the interior design field.

In order to be accredited, a program must comply or partially comply with all 12 standards identified by the Council. A brief description of each standard is listed below. The complete document is available in PDF format for download here.

Educational Program Standards

• Standard 1: Curriculum Structure
  The curriculum is structured to facilitate and advance student learning.
• Standard 2: Professional Values
  The program leads students to develop the attitudes, traits, and values of professional responsibility, accountability, and effectiveness.
• Standard 3: Design Fundamentals
  Students have a foundation in the fundamentals of art and design; theories of design, green design, and human behavior; and discipline-related history.
• Standard 4: Interior Design
  Students understand and apply the knowledge, skills, processes, and theories of interior design.
• Standard 5: Communication
  Students communicate effectively.
• Standard 6: Buildings Systems and Interior Materials
  Students design within the context of building systems. Students use appropriate materials and products.
• Standard 7: Regulations
  Students apply the laws, codes, regulations, standards, and practices that protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
• Standard 8: Business and Professional Practice
  Students have a foundation in business and professional practice.

Faculty, Facilities, Administration and Assessment Standards

• Standard 9: Faculty
  Faculty members and other instructional personnel are qualified and adequate in number to implement program objectives.
• Standard 10: Facilities
  Program facilities and resources provide an environment to stimulate thought, motivate students, and promote the exchange of ideas.
• Standard 11: Administration
  The administration of the program is clearly defined, provides appropriate program leadership, and supports the program. The program demonstrates accountability to the public through its published documents.
• Standard 12: Assessment
  Systematic and comprehensive assessment methods contribute to the program’s ongoing development and improvement.