Interior Design FAQs

• What is the difference between BA Design Studies and BFA Interior Design?

  • The Interior Design Program admits every student as BA Design Studies. Upon the completion of DsIT 33 and DsIT 34 and with at least 3.0 GPA, students are eligible to apply for pre-admission to BFA Interior Design. More information on the BA Design Studies and BFA Interior Design programs can be found here.

• How do I apply for the Interior Design Program?

  • Please click here for complete information on SJSU Admissions.

• What should I take in Junior/Community College to prepare for BA Design Studies (Interior Design area)? What classes transfer from my Junior/Community College?

  • Any drawing, photo, art history, and digital applications (like Adobe Creative Suite) are good preparation for transferring to SJSU. Lists of transferable classes are available here.

    For questions about academic plan, progress, transfer units, and GE fulfillments, please contact the general advisors at H&A Student Success Center at Clark Hall Room 244, Phone: 408.924.5095, E-mail: ha-successcenter@sjsu.edu, Website.

• Should I take all of my GE classes at a Junior/Community College?

  • Transfer students should try to finish all their lower GE at the community college prior entering SJSU. Students who enter as freshmen can take three Interior Design major courses along with two GE courses each semester.

• I already have a Bachelor’s degree. Can I still apply to SJSU?

  • Unfortunately, SJSU is not currently accepting students interested in pursuing a second Bachelor’s degree. In addition, the Interior Design program does not currently offer a graduate degree.

• I am a current SJSU student. Can I change my major to BA Design Studies (Interior Design area)?

  • Yes, we welcome students who have GPA of 3.0 and above to join the program. Please obtain the proper change of major form here.

• Is there a portfolio review for admission?

  • At this time, there is no portfolio review for admission for our BA Program. However, a Portfolio Review is required to gain admission to our BFA Program.

• When should I apply for BFA Interior Design?

  • We accept every student as BA Design Studies. After the completion of DsIT 33 & DSIT 34, students are eligible to apply for pre-admission to the BFA Interior Design degree. Portfolio review is required.

• What kind of work should I submit for the BFA Interior Design Review?

  • Selected work from all of your previous SJSU Interior design courses up till dsIT 33 & dsIT 34.

• What type of computer will I need?

  • Our students use both PCs and Macs; go with what you are most comfortable using. Laptops (at least 15-inch monitor recommended) are required as many classes require work in class to be done on a laptop. Computers should be fast enough to run the minimum system requirements for Adobe Creative Suite, Revit, Sketch-Up, Modo and N scape or Lumion.

• What computer programs will I need?

  • Students will need Adobe Creative Suite, revit, Sketch-Up, Modo and N-scape or Lumion. San José State provides currently enrolled students in eligible classes with free Adobe software for their campus computers and their home computers. You can also obtain free software from AUTODESK and Lumion as long as you are SJSU students.

• Who do I contact for advice regarding Interior Design classes?

  • For all general information about the Interior Design Program please contact Design Department Office: Art Building 120, 408-924-4340, design@sjsu.edu.

    For questions about your major courses (prerequisite approval, substitution, and graduation application, please bring your major form and unofficial transcript to see the interior design major advisors—Prof. Virginia San Fratello, Prof. Diana Seah, —during their office hours (you can acquire their office hours at Art Building 120).