We are excited that you are considering studying Interior Architecture at ETSU. To help you plan a smooth transition to ETSU directly from; a high school, a community college, transferring from other four-year institutions, or a returning student, we want you to be aware of a few important issues and suggest several graduation paths so that you can make the decision that best fits your situation. You can familiarize yourself with the current curriculum adn course descriptoins on the university catalog website.
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Graduation Pathways
What is the fastest way to earn an interior architecture degree?
START AND COMPLETE ALL 4 YEARS AT ETSU
This is the quickest and simplest path to graduation. You start on your interior classes your first semester and can graduate in 4 years. Our small class sizes allows for extended interactions with interior architecture faculty where you build professional design skills from day one. Being a full-time ETSU student means you graduate with the fewest hours, do not have transfer headaches, or missing graduation requirements. You get to experience all the diverse benefits the university has to offer as you work towards an ETSU Bachelors of Science Degree in Interior Architecture. The ETSU Interior Architecture program at Johnson City is CIDA accredited and NASAD accredited. If you are considering any of these pathways careful planning with ETSU interior faculty and advisors can ease your transition into ETSU. See contact info below for more answers to your questions.
How can the Tennessee Promise be leveraged to earn an interior architecture degree?
Option 1
Pellissippi State Community College (PSCC):
PSCC is the only community college in the state of Tennessee where you can earn an associate’s degree in interior design. During the first two years the program at PSCC concentrates on residential design and the skills needed to enter the workforce in that capacity.
After you first earn your AA degree at Pellissippi State you have of two pathways to continue your education and earn an ETSU Bachelor of Science Degree in Interior Architecture.
- 1. ETSU – Johnson City Campus:
You can directly transfer to the ETSU campus in Johnson City to complete your last two years of study. This option allows you to graduate from a CIDA and NASAD accredited program. - 2. Stay at PSCC:
You can continue at Pellissippi State to complete your last two years of study. During the last two years you will take ETSU courses taught by faculty at the Pellissippi State. Contact Dr. Margaret Ann Jeffries for details.
Option 2
All other community colleges:
If you plan to take advantage of the Tennessee Promise to complete all your general education requirements and then transfer to ETSU for an interior architecture degree you need to be aware of the following so that you can plan accordingly:
- If you plan to complete all of your general study requirements at the community college level you will need to decide on a minor course of study (i.e. entrepreneurial studies, business, fine arts, etc.) after transferring to ETSU. You must maintain a full course load each semester (12 credit hours) so that your repayments on any student loans will not start while you are in school. This simply means you will graduate with more than the required 120 hours and it will take you 6 years to complete the ETSU Bachelor of Science Degree in Interior Architecture. We suggest that you start at ETSU or transfer to ETSU after your first year of community college to lessen the chance of this happening.
- Due to accreditation requirements it will take you 4+ years from your start date at ETSU to complete your interior architecture degree. To fully cover those requirements it requires four complete years of study at ETSU no matter how many credits you transfer have completed at a community college. ETSU teaches each interior architecture course only one time a year and you must take all the courses in order, therefore the semester you decide to transfer to ETSU can make a big difference in how fast you get to start on your interior architecture classes.
To help in your transition to ETSU we suggest you take the following courses bedsides general study courses if they are available at your selected institution; drafting/CAD, REVIT, color theory, art history, Photoshop/Illustrator, construction fundamentals, or other construction related courses. Taking these courses will not shorten your time at ETSU. This knowledge will only give you an advantage going forward.
Careful planning with ETSU interior faculty and advisors can ease your transition into ETSU. See contact info below for more answers to your questions.
If you are already enrolled in a four year institution what are my options?
Interior architecture/design majors from other four year. institutions:
ETSU and the interior architecture faculty will evaluate your transcripts and a required portfolio to determine the best place to start in the curriculum. Please note that we only teach each interior architecture course once a year. This fact might impact the best timing for your transition into the program (spring or fall). If you are all considering transferring to ETSU please start your process early so you know exactly your path for graduation. Careful planning with ETSU interior faculty and advisors can ease your transition into ETSU. See contact info below for more answers to your questions.
If you have not majored in interior design at your present institution:
Due to accreditation requirements it will take you an additional 4 years from your start date at ETSU to complete your interior design degree. To fully cover those requirements it requires four complete years of study.
If you complete all of your general study requirements at the community college level you will need to decide on a minor course of study (i.e. entrepreneurial studies, business, fine arts, etc.) while at ETSU. You must maintain a full course load each semester so that your repayments on any student loans will not start while you are in school. This simply means you will graduate with more than the required 120 hours and it will take you six years to complete the ETSU Bachelor of Science Degree in Interior Architecture. Careful planning with ETSU interior faculty and advisors can ease your transition into ETSU. See contact info below for more answers to your questions.
Who can I talk with to find you more information about the program, visit the ETSU campus, or transferring into the ETSU Interior Architecture Program?
Careful planning with ETSU interior faculty and advisor can ease your transition into ETSU. They will help in answering your questions about the program and help you decide on your best pathway to graduation.
- 1. ETSU – Johnson City Campus:
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Cost Information and Scholarships
Click here for ETSU Cost Estimates
Creative Arts Scholarship
New Interior Architecture out-of-state students (freshmen, transfers, and international students) will be eligible for the ETSU Creative Arts Scholarship. This scholarship allows out-of-state students the opportunity to attend ETSU at in-state rates. The scholarship award may vary from term to term depending on the number of credit hours for which a student is registered and is renewable for eight (8) semesters. Students must apply for this scholarship before starting their first semester.Requirements:
- ETSU acceptance
- Cumulative high school GPA of 2.0 or 2.5 for transfer students
- Must live on campus and buy a meal plan for the entire year
- Enroll in the full cohort of interior architecture courses each semester to guarantee
graduation in four years minimum once a student have started their studies at ETSU.
For a list of cohort courses required each semester, please click on interior architecture curriculum.
Renewal Criteria:
- Maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 each term. GPA will be reviewed at the end of each term (fall, spring, and summer)
- Pass all of the cohort courses for that term
- Earn a minimum grade of "C" in required interior architecture studio courses
- Register for all of the cohort courses for the next term
- As juniors/seniors participate in the tutoring program for interior architecture freshmen and sophomores
Contact the program coordinator Dean Isham (ishamd@etsu.edu) for more information.
Fine & Performing Arts Scholars ProgramThe Fine & Performing Arts Scholars program at ETSU provides special educational opportunities for artistically and academically talented students.
The program focuses on recruiting exceptional students, nurturing their artistic and intellectual growth through challenging curricula, promoting their commitment to life-long learning and service, and instilling in them a desire to advance creativity and knowledge in their field.
The Arts Scholars program at ETSU is limited in class size. Up to 25 students accepted to the program each year. A special application is required that is in addition to applying to ETSU. The deadline for applications is March 1st but you should apply early.
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for the program and for a scholarship:
Start Fine and Performing Arts Scholarship
Basler Scholarship
The Wayne G. Basler Incentive Scholarship was established in 1992 by a long-time friend of the university, Mr. Wayne G. Basler. The major intent of the scholarship is to reward an entering freshman of any age who can (1) demonstrate the desire, determination, and motivation to set and complete personal goals, and (2) who have a defined need for the scholarship. In addition, students must meet the following criteria:
Basler Scholarship Infomation and Application
Other Scholarship Opportunities
University-level scholarships (www.etsu.edu/scholarships)
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Admissions
- For entering freshman, start with this checklist on the Admissions page: Checklist for new students
- For transfer students, start with this checklist on the Admissions page: Checklist for transfer students
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Location
Wilson Wallis Hall
Box 70552
Johnson City, TN