B.S. in Interior Design

In the B.S. in Interior Design program at Biola University, go beyond styling to transform where and how people live, gather and worship. From designing boutique hotels and residences to restoring historic spaces, build real technical skills with a faith-first foundation. Guided by industry mentors, tour top local studios, visit global design capitals, and graduate ready for California licensure and qualified to sit for the NCIDQ exam, fully prepared to turn your creativity into a meaningful career.

Study in a close-knit Christian community. Learn alongside classmates, faculty and staff who share your faith and values. You’ll also earn a Bible minor, building a strong theological foundation rarely found in interior design education.

Explore design capitals near and far. Step outside the classroom with site visits across Greater Los Angeles and the Southwest. During your junior year summer, travel to major design centers in Chicago, New York, Paris and Milan to tour top studios and see industry excellence firsthand.
Focus on spaces that matter. Build technical skills through hands-on studios focused on churches, hotels, historic preservation and residences. You'll develop expertise in place-making, amazing environments and carefully curated finish, furnishing, and lighting solutions.
Learn from industry mentors. Get one-on-one guidance from working professionals and faculty who help you build a strong portfolio. Through local internships, gain real workplace experience and professionally prepare to meet California licensure requirements.
Turn creativity into a purposeful career. Explore how your faith intersects with your artistic talents. Learn to create beautiful and functional spaces that serve everyday people, build community and honor God.

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Courses

What will I study as an interior design major?

Bring your vision to life by mastering spatial planning, lighting, finishes and sustainable building technology. Focused studio projects and direct industry practice give you the technical confidence to turn fresh ideas into functional environments, building on your foundational coursework to prepare you for specialized design challenges. Course highlights include:

Design Studio V: Sacred (INTD 4100)

This design studio explores the design of sacred space. Through seminars and discussions on diverse religious traditions and their architectural expressions, students investigate the relationship between liturgy and spatial form, the role of materiality, light, and interiority in evoking spiritual experience, and the design strategies required to create numinous houses of worship responsive to the needs of specific faith communities.

Sustainable Design and Technology (INTD 4200)

A lecture-based introduction to ecological and building systems in architecture, including energy, water, HVAC, lighting, and passive design strategies. Students explore how environmental systems integrate with architectural form, materials, and structure to support sustainable and functional design.

Lighting Design (INTD 4220)

Study of natural and artificial lighting design for interior environments. Students explore illumination principles, lamp technologies, photometric calculations, daylighting strategies, and the physiological and psychological effects of light on human experience.

Bible and Theology Coursework

As part of Biola’s commitment to a biblically centered education, most undergraduate students complete 30 credits of biblical and theological studies as a part of their degree program. Learn more about our Bible and theology core.

Career Outlook and Preparation

What can you do with a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design?

The interior design degree at Biola prepares students for a range of careers in design, from residential and hospitality spaces to sacred environments, furniture, lighting and product design. Graduates can enter the design field, pursue graduate study in an allied discipline or use their skills in missionary and community-focused renovation work. The degree also meets the educational requirements toward interior design licensure in California.

Interior designer
Furniture designer
Lighting designer
Product designer
Real estate developer

“The Interior Design program prepares graduates to work in both commercial and high-quality boutique settings, from design offices to furniture, lighting, and product design firms, anywhere creative problem-solving improves the quality of the built environment. We're excited about the momentum this program has and the strong connections we're building across LA and the greater SoCal design community.”

Dr. Keelan Kaiser, FAIA
Associate Dean, Division of Architecture and Interior Design

3% job growth

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for interior designers is projected to be as fast as average between 2025 and 2035.

BLS projections are not specific to Biola University students or graduates.

Admissions

Admissions Process

Learn about Biola’s admissions requirements, steps to apply, application deadlines and more at our Undergraduate Admissions page.

Schedule a Visit

Learn more about this program by attending an upcoming event for prospective students and parents, or by scheduling a personalized visit.

Visit Biola

Tuition and Financial Aid

Attaining a degree from Biola is more affordable than you might think — dramatically lower than the “sticker price” in most cases — with 100% of incoming undergraduate students receiving some form of financial aid.

Faculty

Faculty Spotlight

Keelan Kaiser

Associate Dean, Division of Architecture and Interior Design, School of Arts and Letters

M.Arch. University of Nebraska - Lincoln
B.S. Architectural Studies University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Meet All Program Faculty

Learning Opportunities

Summer Study Tour for 2–3 weeks in Chicago, NYC, Paris and Milan.
Extensive field studies in and around Los Angeles and Southern California.
Opportunity to major in interior design with a minor in Biblical and Theological Studies.

FAQs

Is the B.S. in Interior Design a professional degree?

The B.S. in Interior Design is not a professional degree, but it may meet the educational requirements for licensing depending on the state.

Why should I pursue an interior design degree at Biola University?

The degree is distinctive among Christian Interior Design programs in that all students at Biola affirm the Christian faith. Faculty and Staff are practicing believers. The biblical studies and theology minor is one-of-a-kind among Christian Interior Design programs in the US. Los Angeles and the southwest is a fertile region to hone your craft and develop your network.

With a B.S. in Interior Design degree, what are some options after I graduate?

Most graduates will work in interior design offices, architecture offices, environmental design offices, with product designers, kitchen and bath specialty offices, and product manufacturers, sales, and real estate development. Graduates are prepared to continue their academic studies and career by pursuing M.F.A. programs or M.Arch. programs to enhance their expertise and credentials.

How should I choose between architectural studies and interior design at Biola University?

The two programs work closely together but focus on different parts of design. Architectural studies focuses on buildings, structure and space, while interior design focuses on what happens inside those spaces, including the volumes, materials, finishes, furniture, color and lighting.

If you’re interested in designing buildings, the B.S. in Architectural Studies may be the better fit. If you’re more interested in creating the look, feel and function of interior spaces, consider the B.S. in Interior Design.

B.S. in Interior Design

B.S. in Interior Design

Program at a Glance

Format

Total Credits

Standard Completion Time

Accreditation

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Courses