Ivy Tech School of Advanced Manufacturing, Engineering & Applied Science
Interior Design
Design your future
What You'll Learn
Do you get a thrill out of finding just the right color palette? Have you been an Architectural Digest subscriber for as long as you can remember? Is your Pinterest filled to the brim with home decor inspiration? Have a passion for sustainability?
If so, Interior Design might be the path for you!
Interoir Design at Ivy Tech is a project-based program that mixes classroom time with field experiences and studio work.
Over the course of the program, you’ll build a portfolio you can show off to potential employers. You’ll also complete a design internship and gain valuable professional experience and contacts.
Here’s a glimpse into what you’ll do in the classroom:
Learn to systematically develop a design from concept to construction documents.
Design for sustainability.
Learn key business management and communication skills, such as working with clients.
Evaluate a client’s goals for a space.
Understand concepts like drawing, creating diagrams and plans, and documenting as they relate to interior design.
Develop an understanding of furniture styles, materials, and relevant design technologies.
Learn industry standards for residential and commercial construction systems, codes, graphics, and delineation.
Gain insight into the history of interior design.
Learn key design concepts, such as color theory.
Use industry standard software programs for BIM, CAD drafting and visualization graphics.
Career Options
Interor Design is a high-demand field that offers endless opportunities to be creative. Many Ivy Tech Interior Design students find employment prior to graduation, as our internship program introduces them to professional connections and gives them the tools to expand their networks.
Graduates of the Ivy Tech Interior Design program are qualified to work in the following roles:
Interior Designer
Commercial Facilities Designer
Kitchen and Bath Designer
Residential Designer
Retail Designer
Landscape Management Professional
CAD (Computer Aided Design) Operator
Visual Merchandiser
Transfer as a Junior
Are you planning to pursue a bachelor’s degree? If so, consider transferring to one of our transfer partners upon completion of your Ivy Tech program. Review your transfer options or speak with a transfer advocate to learn more.
Note: Program availability varies by location and not all program tracks are offered at each campus/location.
Associate Degree – Transferable or Career-Ready
The AAS in Interior Design offers a hands-on, project-based curriculum that covers design fundamentals, environmental design and space planning, visual merchandising, and so much more. You'll graduate ready to work as an Interior Designer, Kitchen & Bath Designer, or in another related role. Students complete an internship and build a portfolio during their time in the program.
Long-Term Certificate
known as a Technical Certificate (TC)
The Interior Design Technical Certificate (TC) teaches you fundamental design skills. Students graduate with vast knowledge of kitchen and bath design, materials and finishes, historic preservation, and so much more.
Short-Term Certificate
known as a Certificate (CT)
The Housing and Human Environments Certificate (CT) would enable holders to work in retail, assistant, customer service, or technician-level jobs related to the design field. Or to advance the skills and knowledge of current workforce employees in related fields.
Interior Designers often work in offices, retail spaces, or on-site with a client. This industry is perfect for those who want to work in a field that allows them to be both creative and social.
You’ll want to have the following skills and traits to work in this field:
Creativity
Passion for sustainability
An eye for interior design trends
Organization
Attention to detail
Strong communication skills
Time and budget management
Comfort working with clients
Sound Like You?
If you identify with the traits above, interior design may be the path for you! Take the next step to get started or speak with your local advisor to learn more.
There are no prerequisite courses you must take prior to enrolling in the Interior Design program.
No Expiration of Credits
There is no expiration date for course credits that were earned in previous years from Ivy Tech Community College.
Transfer Credit for Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisite courses completed at colleges other than Ivy Tech will only be considered for general education selection points if transfer credit has been awarded and courses appear on the Ivy Tech transcript prior to the application deadline.
TR grades are not recognized by the online application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that transfer credit has been awarded and that TR grades are updated to transfer letter grades (TA, TB, TC) on their Ivy Tech transcript.
It is recommended that college transcripts be submitted to the Registrar’s office for evaluation and transfer credit at least four weeks prior to the program application deadline to ensure adequate time for processing.
Interior Design Courses
Descriptions of Interior Design courses can be found in our online course catalog.
View required classes and course descriptions for:
See when specific courses will be offered by searching our course list in Schedule Builder. First, select the semester you’re looking for and then enter the name of the course in the search bar.
If you’re a current student, upcoming courses are easy to find in Schedule Builder in MyIvy.
Course Formats
Interior Design courses are available via in-person and hybrid formats.
Applying to Ivy Tech is Free & Easy
The Ivy Tech application is free and easy—you don’t need a certain test score, GPA, or class rank to get started at Ivy Tech. Applying takes about 10-15 minutes and can be completed entirely online.
No Application Deadlines
Ivy Tech does not have a deadline for admission. Our 8-week class sessions start throughout the year—in January, March, June, August, and October—and there is no hard deadline for applying for any of the start dates. It's important, though, to apply early enough that you'll be able to complete all the degree planning, financial aid, and registration activities that need to happen before your first day. We recommend you apply about one month before you intend to start classes. See upcoming start dates
Steps to Apply
(1) Apply to Ivy Tech
If you’ve never applied to Ivy Tech Community College before (or if it’s been two years since you last attended classes here), your first step is to apply to Ivy Tech. You can apply online or in person. To apply in person, reach out toyour local admissions team and arrange a meeting. Or, stop by any campus on any Tuesday for Tuesdays@TheTech to receive personal assistance with applying and registering for classes.
After you submit your application, you'll be asked to upload documentation—such as SAT/ACT/PSAT scores or high school and college transcripts—that can assess your readiness for college-level coursework and help us make sure you are taking classes that are the right fit for you. How to upload assessment documents
If you don't have your scores or transcripts at your fingertips, don’t worry. Go ahead and submit your application. You can go back to upload assessment documents at any time until the end of the term for which you applied.
(3) Look for a Confirmation Email
Once your application is processed, you will receive a confirmation email at the email address provided on your application. Typically the email will arrive within 1-2 business days of submission, but during peak processing periods (April-June) could take up to 5-10 business days.
The email will contain instructions on how to register for classes, as well as important information regarding your Ivy Tech student portal (MyIvy account), tuition, payment options, and more.
(4) Create an Account in MyIvy
MyIvy is Ivy Tech's online student portal. Students use MyIvy to check e-mail, register for classes, pay tuition, manage financial aid, get the latest news and announcements, and much more. MyIvy also contains "QuickLinks" to the Ivy Tech websites and online tools you will use most often. Learn more about MyIvy
Before you can register for classes you will need to submit documentation or complete an assessment test. Your test scores can help us determine the best English and math starting classes for you. See the Test Score Course Placement Chart
If you submitted assessment documentation during the application process, your advisor will likely be able to work with those documents to determine course placement and you won't need to take any further steps. If you don't have any of those documents or the scores don't meet minimum thresholds, don’t worry! Your advisor will direct you to complete our freeKnowledge Assessment to help develop your customized learning path to better prepare you for courses.
(6) Register for Classes
Once you have completed the steps above, you may register for classes. Ivy Tech students register for courses using the Schedule Builder tool which can be accessed withinMyIvy. If you are a new, first-time Ivy Tech student, we recommend that you meet withyour advisor who will help you develop your Academic Completion Plan and help you sign up for courses that are the best fit for you.
For a complete list of registration steps, including detailed registration steps, deadlines, and information about holds, withdrawals, waitlists, and refunds, visit our Registration 101 page.
(7) Pay Your Tuition
After registering for your courses, your bill can be viewed in yourMyIvy account > Student Dashboard- > View/Pay Balance. Payments can also be made in your MyIvy account. For complete information about payments, including payment options, payment plans, how to make immediate payments, due dates, information about refunds, and more, visit our Payments page.
“Ivy Tech was the closest and most affordable option for a degree in Interior Design. I was able to work full time and attend classes at night. Without Ivy Tech, I would not be where I am today, having obtained my associates degree and working for a great company.”
–Joshua A. | 2011 Grad at OFS
“When asked for advice from those interested in the Interior Design field, I tell them to go see Tracy Pace at Ivy Tech. Any student who is passionate about interior design and willing to put in the time will have a successful career. There is definitely a demand for talented interior designers. Then, when they’ve graduated with honors, come talk to me about a job!
It’s a career path that can be great for someone who is analytical & systematic or for the most creative, extrovert personality. You have instructors who are working in the field. That experience and first-hand knowledge are invaluable.”
–Jennifer S. | 2002 Grad, Owner of Y Factor Studio
“I have always loved Architecture and Design. This program worked with my busy life of working full-time. I could go to school part-time. After a year of doing so, I was so determined and passionate about Interior Design I worked two part-time jobs so I could attend school full-time! I am the first generation in my family to attend college.
This program changed my life. It gave me a sense of self-worth and community which I enjoy still to this day. I still talk to my mentors from time to time ( Kelly Cozart, Jennifer Scales, Jelda Hostetler) These ladies are incredible. Jennifer Scales is now my friend, boss and mentor.”
–Brian F. | 2014 Interior Design Grad
“As I neared the end of a 26-year career in pharmaceutical sales, I began to dream of my next chapter. Since I was not ready to retire fully, I decided to investigate something new to fill my time. Other than reading, my favorite hobbies were working on my house and working in my yard. I wondered if any of the colleges in Evansville had an interior design program. When I checked, Ivy Tech had an associate’s degree in Interior Design so while I continued working toward retirement, I spent my evenings pursuing my next career. I graduated in 2016, interned for a year one-day-per-week at VPS Architecture during 2017, then fully retired from Eli Lilly & Co. at the end of 2017. Upon retirement I joined VPS Architecture full-time and have happily practiced my retirement career for the last five years.”
–Leslie H. | 2016 Interior Design Grad
Featured Faculty & Staff
Cheryl L. King
Assistant Professor of Environmental Design
Tracy Pace
Department Chair and Assistant Professor
Cheryl L. King
Assistant Professor of Environmental Design
Tracy Pace
Department Chair and Assistant Professor
Cheryl King has been teaching for Ivy Tech for over 20 years. She is a professional Interior Designer who has worked in commercial and residential design, completing projects in the US and the UK. Cheryl has been involved as an item writer and an information task force committee member with CIDQ. She loves helping develop students into design professionals.
Tracy brings extensive knowledge and experience in commercial interior design into the classroom. She holds a B.S. in Interior Design and a M.A. in Folk Studies/Historic Preservation from Western Kentucky University, a M.F.A in Interior Design from Savannah College of Art and Design, and she is a registered NCIDQ certificate holder.
Since acquiring her undergraduate degree, she has worked full-time in the field of commercial interior design, specializing in space planning and furniture specification, and design for government and healthcare institutions. Tracy is an action-oriented, resourceful, thinking, open-minded, quality-oriented teacher.
Find Local Admissions Contact Info
Don't see a nearby location?
Call 1-888-489-5463 and we'll get you started.
Madison Advising Center
590 Ivy Tech Drive
Madison, IN 47250
Fax 812-265-4028
Zoom Video Calls Available by appointment only. Call 812-256-2580, ext. 4502 to make an appointment.
Advising Team Tricia Miracle 812-265-2580 ext. 4137 tmiracle2@ivytech.edu Text during business hours 812-510-3844 Virtual Drop-In Advising Hours: Wednesdays 9:00-1:00pm & Thursdays 2:00-5:30pm Zoom Link
Lisa Kelley 812-265-2580 ext. 4163 lkelley3@ivytech.edu Text during business hours 502-414-1597 Virtual Drop-In Advising Hours: Tuesdays 1:30pm-5pm & Thursdays 8:30am-12pm Zoom Link
Starting Oct. 28th Tuesdays: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All other days by appointment from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. **Special Saturday December 7 @ 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
1 Source: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2022 State Occupational Employment and Wage estimates: Indiana.(2023). Lightcast™, lightcast.io. Occupational Overview for Indiana, 2023-2024
2 Associate degree cost is determined by tuition for an in-state, full-time student. Certificate and technical certificate costs are determined by tuition for an in-state, part-time student. Additional fees may be applied. Visit the Tuition & Fees page to learn more.