Do more than dream about your career. Design your future.

An interior design degree prepares you for a career in a variety of professions including healthcare design, hospitality design, residential design, kitchen and bath design, and lighting design. Our graduates can be certified by both the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ).

What You'll Do

As an interior design major at Southeast, you'll gain incredible real-world learning experience including many opportunities outside the classroom.

  • Gain real-world experience through internships and the experiential learning lab.
  • Learn from experienced faculty in a small class environment.
  • Work on real design projects with actual clients.

What Can You Do with an Interior Design Degree?

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time. 

Internship and EmploymentOpportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Boeing
  • Drury Southwest, Inc.
  • Cushman & Wakefield
  • Mosby Building Arts
  • Cure Design Group
  • Milford Kitchen & Bath
  • K Taylor Design Group
  • Directions in Design
  • Amie Corley Interiors
  • Color Art
  • CI Select
  • Restoration Hardware
  • Design & Detail
  • Habitat for Humanity
  • Southfork Lighting
  • Metro Lighting
  • Crescent Plumbing Supply
  • RM COCO
  • Oculus Inc.
  • The Lawrence Group
  • Spellman Brady & Company

 

Interior Design Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.

Outcomes & Careers

  • $61k

    Interior Designer

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for an interior designer is $61,590.

  • $75k

    Purchasing Manager

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a purchasing manager is $75,120.

  • $67k

    Set and Exhibit Designer

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a set and exhibit designer is $67,170.

What You’ll Study

Degree Map

As an interior design major, you’ll apply artistic and technical solutions to promote health, safety, and welfare in the building environment. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

Accreditations

  • National Association of Schools of Art and Design Accreditation Logo
  • NKBA Affiliated School Logo
  • Council for Interior Design Accreditation Logo

Accreditation

The interior design program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Interior Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, www.accredit-id.org, 206 Grandville Avenue, Suite 350, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503.

The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, for advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations. The Bachelor of Science in Interior Design granted by Southeast Missouri State University meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam)

Mission Statement

The mission of the Interior Design Program at Southeast Missouri State University is to prepare graduates who create healthy, inclusive, and safe environments to enhance the quality of life. The program strives to develop entry-level interior designers who critically apply core design and technical knowledge to create successful interior environments for humans to live, work, learn, and heal.

Educational Philosophy

Faculty are committed to providing an inclusive, safe, and supportive environment where any student, regardless of background, can pursue a degree in interior design. Our approach is respectful, structured, and practical and utilizes hands-on methods that incorporate real-world experiences with professionals and clients.

Goals

  • Maintain and improve a cutting-edge accredited academic program that incorporates research and best practices with a strong emphasis on the technical and creative design processes.
  • Recruit and retain a diverse body of students and faculty from under-represented populations.
  • Expose students to experiential learning and professional networking opportunities.

Interior Design Statistics

It typically takes a full-time student taking approximately 15 credits per semester, and 3 credits during the summer, four years to complete the degree program.

The following data was collected using institutional records, alumni correspondence (text and email), and information gathered from LinkedIn.

Attrition and Retention:

  • In fall 2021 the program had 15 entering Interior Design students, 8 of whom returned in fall 2022 placing attrition at  47%.

Graduation Rates:

  • Of the 13 students graduating from the Interior Design program in 2022, 8 completed in 4 years (62%), 10 completed within 5 years (77%), and 12 completed within 6 years (92%).

Job Placement Rates:

  • 100% of students who graduated in 2022 are employed in interior design or a related profession.

Acceptance into Graduate Programs:

  • Two out of 13 students who graduated in 2022 applied for graduate school, and 2 were accepted.
Phone
Office Phone
(573) 651-2790
Location
Office
River Campus Seminary 104
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 7825
Cape Girardeau, Missouri 63701