During its bicentennial year, the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) announces the launch of its new Bachelor of Design (BDes) in Interior Design, a significant addition to its undergraduate programs and of the College’s continued investment in professionally aligned, expert design education. With this new degree, MICA continues to prepare designers who can thoughtfully shape the built environment and contribute to Baltimore’s growing creative economy and beyond.
“MICA’s Bachelor of Design (BDes) in Interior Design is built to equip our students with the technical art and design skills to become interior designers and join a committed community of practice,” said MICA Provost Eric Freedman. “Our strong foundation in art and design allows MICA to apply a unique creative lens to Maryland’s investment in workforce development as we launch a degree that leads to professional certification and graduate students who can thoughtfully engage with the built environment.”
The BDes in Interior Design is a degree grounded in research and creative inquiry, and aligned with nationally recognized industry certification. Designed to prepare students for contemporary interior design practice, the program integrates studio-based creative exploration with instruction in space planning, materials and textiles, lighting, building systems, codes, construction documents, and professional practice. Students move from foundational design thinking and visual communication into advanced studios addressing residential, commercial, healthcare, and community environments.
“As Maryland continues to invest in the creative economy, MICA is leading with vision,” said Dr. Raymond Barclay, senior vice president for enrollment strategy, innovation, and partnerships. “This degree and our broader ecosystem of design and innovation connect talent, community, and opportunity in ways that strengthen both MICA, Baltimore, and the region’s workforce.”
The program is intentionally structured to align toward NCIDQ certification, which is considered the foremost industry credential for interior designers, to support graduates as they pursue professional practice.
"The curriculum balances creative exploration with professional practice, challenging students to generate innovative design solutions for interior environments while developing the skills to implement, manage, and deliver interior projects” says Matthew Swiertz, NCIDQ certified Interior Design faculty and designer.
The program offers two modes of delivery: a residential, in-person degree or an online degree. The BDes in Interior Design expands access for incoming college students looking for a traditional college experience as well as working adults and transfer students who want to learn on their own schedule. The program maintains the rigor, critique culture, and high academic standards central to MICA’s studio-based pedagogy.
The launch of BDes in Interior Design follows a period of institutional momentum, including MICA’s 200-year anniversary and the highest first-year enrollment in six years. Building on this success, the BDes in Interior Design reflects MICA’s focus on evolving its academic offerings in response to contemporary professional practice while remaining anchored in its creative foundation.
For more information about the Bachelor of Design in Interior Design, visit mica.edu/interiordesign.