Students in WVU's Foundation for Interior Design Education Research accredited program learn to identify, research, and creatively solve problems pertaining to the function and quality of the interior environment. They gain specialized knowledge of interior construction, building codes, equipment, materials, furnishings, and aesthetics. Students engage in programming, design analysis, and space planning relative to interiors. They prepare drawings and documents that detail their recommendations for aesthetically pleasing interiors that also protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public. The Interior Design Program is known for the hands-on experience it provides. Realizing the international scope of interior design, the program requires a minimum of two semesters of a foreign language, two courses in global issues, a study-abroad semester, and problem-solving course work that emphasizes international design and issues. The student professional organization, the American Society of Interior Designers, is active on campus and sponsors various tours and trips to enhance the learning experience. Majors in the Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences Agribusiness Management & Rural Development B Agricultural & Extension Education B, M Agricultural & Resource Economics M Agriculture Education M Agriculture, Forestry, & Consumer Sciences M Agronomy B, M Animal & Food Sciences D Animal & Veterinary Sciences B, M Basic Sciences B Biochemistry B Child Development & Family Studies B, M Entomology M Environmental Microbiology M Environmental & Natural Resource Economics B Environmental Protection B Family & Consumer Sciences M Forest Resources Management B Forest Resources Science D Forestry M Genetics & Developmental Biology M, D Horticulture B, M Human Nutrition & Foods B Interior Design B Landscape Architecture B Natural Resource Economics D Plant Pathology M Plant & Soil Sciences D Recreation, Parks, & Tourism Resources B, M Reproductive Physiology M, D Textiles, Apparel & Merchandising B Wildlife & Fisheries Resources B, M Wood Science & Technology B B = Bachelor's; M = Master's; D = Doctorate For more information, contact Cindy Beachan at 304-293-3402 ext. 1787, cvbeacham@mail.wvu.edu Or visit the Web site at: www.cafcs.wvu.edu/fcs/id/

The WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences
The Davis College has 18 undergraduate major fields of study that are divided into five academic divisions: Animal and Veterinary Sciences; Family and Consumer Sciences; Forestry; Plant and Soil Sciences; and Resource Management. The excellent instructional facilities of the Davis College offer many learning opportunities. The Agricultural Sciences Building contains most offices, classrooms, and laboratories for agricultural programs. Percival Hall houses the Division of Forestry’s offices, classrooms, and laboratories, including the wood processing facilities. In Allen Hall, Family and Consumer Science classes are held, and the laboratory nursery school is located on the Evansdale Campus. Maintaining eight farms, two campus greenhouses, and more than 8,000 acres of forest land for teaching and research, the Davis College offers students a variety of educational opportunities with hands-on experiences.

Students are offered fields of study that complement various careers. The study of ecology is interwoven throughout courses to offer students the education necessary for careers emphasizing the protection of environmental quality and the management, utilization, and conservation of our soil, water, forests, wildlife, domestic animals, food, and fiber.

Admission
Students who meet University admission requirements may be accepted directly into the Davis College as Interior Design majors. Enrollment in the first-year level is not limited, but sophomore-, junior-, and senior-level classes are limited to 20 students each. To continue in the program beyond the first year, students must maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.25 and a minimum of 2.50 in Interior Design classes.

Curriculum
In addition to the University’s General Education Curriculum (GEC) requirements, Interior Design majors complete a number of other courses to earn a bachelor of science in Family and Consumer Sciences. Course work consists of nine credit hours in the Family and Consumer Sciences core, 49 credit hours in interior design, nine credit hours in business, nine credit hours of additional requirements, and several other electives. It is highly recommended that all students take ID 400, Interior Design Internship. There are 132 credit hours needed for graduation, and approximately 15 of these will be taken during a study abroad semester.

Midway through the Interior Design program, students submit their design work to a panel of faculty for evaluation. Critiques of the designs are returned to them, noting their strengths and weaknesses.

Course Work

* Please see the current WVU Undergraduate Catalog for complete course descriptions.

Accreditation
West Virginia University is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Interior Design Program is fully accredited by the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research.

Career Opportunities
Employment in design occupations is expected to grow through 2005. Interior designers often work for interior design firms, architectural firms, department and home furnishing stores, or hotel and restaurant chains. Some designers do freelance work full-time, part-time, or in addition to a salaried job.

Beginning designers usually receive on-the-job training and normally need one to three years of apprenticeship before they advance to higher-level positions. Experienced designers in large firms may advance to chief designer, design department head, or other supervisory positions. Some experienced designers open their own firms.

Graduate School Opportunities
Our graduates are well positioned to take advantage of opportunities for advanced education. The faculty encourages and supports both professional practice and advanced education.

Salary Range
According to the Top and Second 100 GIANTS surveys published by Interior Design magazine, salaries of junior interior designers in the largest interior design firms average $25,000, and project and senior interior designers average $38,000. Project managers average $50,500 a year.