Accreditations and Awards

Accreditations Department of Design and Merchandising

The interior design program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Interior Architecture and Design is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, 206 Grandville Ave., 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 Architecture and Design granted by Colorado State University meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). Get more information about NCIDQ Exam eligibility.

Council for Interior Design Accreditation

The Department of Design and Merchandising in partnership with the Department of Art and Art History is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design. NASAD establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for art and design and art/design-related disciplines and provides assistance to institutions and individuals engaged in artistic, scholarly, educational, and other art/design-related endeavors.

National Association of Schools of Art & Design

The Department of Design and Merchandising’s apparel and merchandising program leading to the Bachelor of Science in Apparel and Merchandising is accredited by the Textile and Apparel Programs Accreditation Commission. TAPAC serves as the accrediting body for programs in textiles and apparel and related areas in higher education. It advances excellence in the textile and apparel profession and provides quality assessment and enhancement of higher education programs in textiles, apparel, and related areas.

Textile and Apparel Programs Accreditation Commission

Awards Faculty

Associate Professor Laura Cole, National Science Foundation Grant

Associate Professor Laura Cole is a member of an interdisciplinary team that has been awarded over $3 million in funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) (Discovery Research in K-12 Education) to integrate green building science into innovative curricular concepts for the middle school science classroom to enhance youth energy literacy.

Dr. Laura Cole poses for a photo in front of the Richardson Design Center

Associate Professor Kristen Morris, Cotton Incorporated Grant

Associate Professor Kristen Morris has received multiple teaching grants from Cotton Incorporated (5 consecutive years of annual grants totaling over $150,000) to engage in the research process to create innovative solutions to clothing-related barriers for people with disabilities through the application of cotton performance technologies.

Kristen Morris oversees a student working at a sewing machine.

Nucklls Fund for Lighting Education grant supports CSU's Interior Architecture and Design Program to develop new lighting course

Colorado State University’s Interior Architecture and Design Program in the Department of Design and Merchandising is lighting the way for students thanks to a Lesley Wheel Grant for $30,000. The new lighting course will be taught by Kami Stutzman.