Best Degree for Interior Designers: BFA, BA, and Master's Explained

Walk into any high-end firm in London or New York, and you’ll notice a pattern. The designers leading the projects don’t just have good taste; they have rigorous training. But here is the catch: "Interior Design" is not a single, monolithic career path. It splits into two distinct tracks-residential decorating and commercial design-and the degrees that serve these paths are vastly different.

If you want to hang a picture frame and pick paint swatches, you might get away with no formal education. But if you want to move walls, install electrical fixtures, or design office spaces that comply with fire codes, you need more than intuition. You need a specific type of degree. Choosing the wrong one can cost you years of your life and thousands in tuition, only to find out you’re unqualified for the jobs you actually want.

The Core Requirement: CIDA Accreditation

Before we talk about specific majors, there is one non-negotiable filter you must apply. In the United States and Canada, the gold standard for interior design education is accreditation by the Council for Interior Design Education (CIDE), formerly known as CIDA. This body evaluates programs to ensure they meet industry standards.

Why does this matter? Because most states require you to pass the NCIDQ Exam to call yourself an "Interior Designer" legally. To sit for this exam, you typically need a degree from an accredited program. If your school isn’t accredited, you might be forced to work extra years before you’re eligible to test. Always check the current list of accredited programs before applying. This is the first step in protecting your future career.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) vs. Bachelor of Arts (BA)

When looking at undergraduate options, you will mostly encounter two types of degrees: the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and the Bachelor of Arts (BA). They sound similar, but they prepare you for very different realities.

The BFA Path:

This is the traditional route for serious designers. A BFA program is heavily studio-based. You will spend most of your time drawing, modeling, using software like AutoCAD and Revit, and learning materials science. It’s intense. Expect long hours in the studio critiquing peers’ work. However, it covers all the technical bases required for licensure. If your goal is to work in commercial design, healthcare facilities, or corporate offices, the BFA is usually the safer bet because it prioritizes technical competency over liberal arts.

The BA Path:

A BA in Interior Design often includes a broader curriculum. You might take classes in history, psychology, business, or communications alongside your design courses. This is excellent if you plan to go into residential design, where understanding client psychology and managing relationships is just as important as knowing how to tile a floor. However, some BA programs lack the depth in building systems and code compliance that commercial firms demand. Check the syllabus carefully. If it doesn’t include courses on lighting design, acoustics, and building codes, it might not prepare you for the NCIDQ exam without additional schooling.

Is a Master’s Degree Worth It?

You might be wondering if you should skip undergrad and go straight for a Master of Interior Design (MID) or a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Interior Design. There are three main scenarios where a master’s is the smartest move.

1. Career Changers

If you already have a bachelor’s degree in something else-say, Biology or Marketing-you don’t need to start over. Many universities offer accelerated MID programs specifically for people with prior degrees. These programs condense the core design curriculum into 18-24 months. It’s faster and cheaper than doing a second bachelor’s, and it still leads to NCIDQ eligibility.

2. Specialization

Generalist degrees teach you how to design rooms. Master’s programs allow you to dive deep into niches. Are you interested in sustainable design? Healthcare environments? Exhibition design? An MFA allows you to research and specialize in these areas, making you a candidate for high-level expert roles rather than entry-level positions.

3. Academic Careers

If you want to teach interior design at the university level, a master’s is often the minimum requirement, with a PhD being preferred for tenure-track positions.

The Diploma Route: Fast Track or Dead End?

Some colleges offer Associate Degrees or Diplomas in Interior Design. These programs typically last two years. They are cheaper and faster, which sounds appealing. But there is a major downside.

In many jurisdictions, an associate degree does not meet the educational requirements for the NCIDQ exam. You would graduate, find a job, and then realize you hit a ceiling. To get licensed, you’d eventually need to go back for a bachelor’s anyway. Unless you are certain you only want to do decorative styling (which technically doesn’t require licensure), avoid short-term diplomas. They save money upfront but cost you career mobility later.

Key Skills Your Degree Must Teach

Not all accredited programs are created equal. When evaluating schools, look for these specific competencies in their course descriptions:

• Spatial Planning: Can you organize space efficiently? This is the backbone of design.
• Building Systems: Do they teach HVAC, plumbing, and electrical integration? If not, you’ll struggle in commercial firms.
• Code Compliance: Knowledge of IBC (International Building Code) and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) regulations is mandatory for professional practice.
• Software Proficiency: Look for training in AutoCAD, Revit (BIM), SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite. Firms expect you to know these on day one.
• Sustainability: LEED accreditation knowledge is increasingly demanded by clients who want green buildings.

Choosing the Right School

Location matters more than you think. Interior design is a networked industry. Schools in major hubs like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, or London provide internships and connections that rural schools cannot. An internship at a top-tier firm during your studies is worth more than a perfect GPA. Look for schools with strong ties to local design firms and a history of placing graduates in competitive jobs.

Also, consider the faculty. Are they practicing designers? Or are they academics who haven’t touched a construction site in decades? You want mentors who understand the current pressures of the job market, including the shift toward virtual reality presentations and AI-assisted drafting.

Alternative Paths and Certifications

If you decide against a traditional four-year degree, there are other ways to enter the field, though they come with limitations.

Home Staging and Decorating:

If your passion is purely aesthetic-choosing fabrics, furniture, and colors-you can succeed without a design degree. Organizations like the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) offer membership tiers for those who aren’t licensed. You can build a brand through social media and portfolio work. However, you cannot use the title "Interior Designer" in regulated states, and you cannot sign off on construction documents.

Architectural Technology:

Some people study Architectural Technology instead. This degree focuses more on the engineering side of buildings. It’s a great backup plan if you love the structure of spaces but aren’t obsessed with finishes. Architects and interior designers often collaborate, so having this background makes you a valuable team player.

Next Steps for Aspiring Designers

Start by visiting the CIDE website and downloading the list of accredited programs. Filter them by location and type (BFA vs. BA). Then, reach out to admissions counselors and ask direct questions: "Does this program meet the educational requirements for the NCIDQ exam in [Your State]?" Get the answer in writing.

Visit the studios if possible. Talk to current students. Ask them about their workload and job placement rates. Don’t just look at the glossy brochure; look at the recent graduate portfolios. Do they show technical drawings? Construction details? Or just pretty renderings? Real-world design requires both beauty and function. Choose a program that teaches both.