Interior Design: AAS

Interior Design: AAS

Associate in Applied Science | 60 credit hours minimum

Area of Interest: Communications, Design, and Creative Arts

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Program Description:

The Associate in Applied Science degree in Interior Design prepares students for careers in interior design. The curriculum emphasizes a strong foundation in visual art skills, architecture, and space planning. Utilizing these foundations, students develop creative projects using a systematic approach to the design processes.

The coursework for the interior design program includes solving interior design-related problems by developing free-hand and drafting skills, computer skills, and oral presentation skills. Graduates will be familiar with local and national trade, professional and industry resources. Issues in sustainable and universal design are also explored within the studio environment.

Persons interested in this program should have a strong desire to work with people, enjoy functional problem solving, and appreciate the impact of design in our environment. Previous drawing, design, or drafting courses are also helpful.

Graduates of the program are qualified for entry-level positions in residential and/or commercial interior design and related fields. Careers in interior design may include: residential design, commercial design, health care design, hospitality design, kitchen and bath design, office design, architectural firms, retail stores, wholesale showrooms, and lighting design. Graduates also may be employed as manufacturers’ product representatives, freelance designers, or facilities planning assistants.

Locations. This program is offered at Meramec by taking a mixture of face-to-face and online courses.  

Cost of Attendance.  For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES

Program Career and Salary Information.  Pursuant to Missouri HB 1606 (2018), information regarding the number of credit hours, program length, employment rate, wage data, and graduates employed in careers related to their program of study at St. Louis Community College can be found at the following URL: https://scorecard.mo.gov/scorecard/. Search using School / Program “St. Louis Community College” and choose the degree or credential type of interest. 

The following limitations to the data apply: Information provided is based on the most recent cohorts available. Typically, most recent cohorts for wage and completion data are six years prior to the current academic year. Time to complete a program of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester.

Interested in this program? Start the enrollment process by visiting the Apply to STLCC page.   

At the completion of the program, students are expected to:

  1. apply free-hand drawing, hand drafting, computer drafting, rendering, and oral presentation skills to communicate design ideas.
  2. develop creative projects using a systematic approach to the design processes.
  3. apply the principles and elements of design to design solutions.
  4. evaluate interior construction methods, building systems, building codes, fire codes, and life safety codes and their impact on interior planning and design.
  5. analyze architecture, interiors, and art within a historical and cultural context.
  6. integrate visual art skills in two-dimensional and three-dimensional design to design solutions.
  7. compose design solutions that reflect color and light in interior environments.
  8. evaluate the accepted ethical standards for the industry and the commitment of a professional interior designer to the built environment.
  9. develop design solutions that incorporate behavioral science and human factors on interior design planning.
  10. select interior finishes, furniture, and equipment appropriate for the designed interior environment.
  11. prepare interior finish, furniture, and fixture specifications.
  12. identify sustainable design solutions and apply them to studio coursework.

Missouri Civics Examination.  Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.

Program of Study

General Education
ENG 101College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100)3
PSY 200General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100)3
XXX xxxSocial & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement3
XXX xxxAny Natural Science course with a MOTR designation OR MTH 108 or higher 3
ART 102Art History - 1300 to Present (MOTR ARTS 102)3
Program Requirements
ART 140Two-Dimensional Design3
ART 109Drawing I (MOTR PERF 105D)3
ART 131Computer Art Studio3
ART 150Design Communication for Interior Design and Architecture3
ART 154Architectural Graphics and Technology I3
AT 287Architectural Graphics and Technology II3
ART 153History of Cultural Environments I3
ART 254History of Cultural Environments II3
ART 186Building Systems and Construction for Interior Designers3
ART 151Interior Design I3
ART 251Interior Design II3
ART 252Interior Design III3
ART 253Interior Design IV3
AT 151Interior Specifications, Materials, and Methods3
AT 152Lighting Design3
Total Credit Hours60

Full-Time Academic Plan

Missouri Civics Examination.  Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.

PLEASE NOTE:  If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2024, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements.  Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.

New PlanGrids
First Year
Fall Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 154 Architectural Graphics and Technology I3Reading Proficiency
ART 151 Interior Design I3Concurrent or prior enrollment in ART 154 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
ART 131 Computer Art Studio3Reading Proficiency
ART 140 Two-Dimensional Design3Reading Proficiency
ART 109 Drawing I (MOTR PERF 105D)3Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours15
Spring Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 186 Building Systems and Construction for Interior Designers3Reading Proficiency
ART 251 Interior Design II3ART 154 and ART 151 with a grade of "C" or better and Reading Proficiency
ART 150 Design Communication for Interior Design and Architecture3ART 154 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
AT 151 Interior Specifications, Materials, and Methods3Reading Proficiency
ENG 101 College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100)3Placement score or ENG 030 or ENG 070 with a grade of "C" or better or recommendation of department and Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079
Credit Hours15
Second Year
Fall Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 252 Interior Design III3ART 251 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyOffered Fall semesters only
AT 287 Architectural Graphics and Technology II3ART 154, ART 251 both with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency
ART 153 History of Cultural Environments I3Reading ProficiencyOffered Fall semesters only
XXX xxxNatural Science course with a MOTR designation OR MTH 108 or higher3 Reference transfer agreements before selecting course.
PSY 200 General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100)3Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079
Credit Hours15
Spring Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 253 Interior Design IV3ART 252 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyOffered Spring semesters only
ART 254 History of Cultural Environments II3ART 153 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyOffered Spring semesters only
ART 102 Art History - 1300 to Present (MOTR ARTS 102)3Reading ProficiencyApply for graduation.
XXX xxxSocial & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement3 Reference transfer agreements before selecting a course.
AT 152 Lighting Design3ART 151 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours15
Total Credit Hours60

*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.

**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.

*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice.  Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor. 

Part-Time Academic Plan

Missouri Civics Examination.  Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.

PLEASE NOTE:  If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2024, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements.  Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.

New PlanGrids
First Year
Fall Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 154 Architectural Graphics and Technology I3Reading Proficiency
ART 151 Interior Design I3Concurrent or prior enrollment in ART 154 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
ART 131 Computer Art Studio3Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours9
Spring Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 150 Design Communication for Interior Design and Architecture3ART 154 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
ART 251 Interior Design II3ART 154 and ART 151 with a grade of "C" or better and Reading Proficiency
AT 151 Interior Specifications, Materials, and Methods3Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours9
Summer Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ENG 101 College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100)3Placement score or ENG 030 or ENG 070 with a grade of "C" or better or recommendation of department and Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079
Credit Hours3
Second Year
Fall Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 252 Interior Design III3ART 251 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyOffered Fall semesters only
AT 287 Architectural Graphics and Technology II3ART 154, ART 251 both with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency
ART 153 History of Cultural Environments I3Reading ProficiencyOffered Fall semesters only
Credit Hours9
Spring Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 253 Interior Design IV3ART 252 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyOffered Spring semesters only
ART 254 History of Cultural Environments II3ART 153 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyOffered Spring semesters only
AT 152 Lighting Design3ART 151 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyOffered Spring semesters only
Credit Hours9
Summer Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 109 Drawing I (MOTR PERF 105D)3Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours3
Third Year
Fall Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
XXX xxxSocial & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement3 Reference transfer agreements before selecting course.
ART 140 Two-Dimensional Design3Reading Proficiency
XXX xxxNatural Science course with a MOTR designation OR MTH 108 or higher3 Reference transfer agreements before selecting course.
Credit Hours9
Spring Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ART 102 Art History - 1300 to Present (MOTR ARTS 102)3Reading ProficiencyApply for graduation.
ART 186 Building Systems and Construction for Interior Designers3Reading Proficiency
PSY 200 General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100)3Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079
Credit Hours9
Total Credit Hours60

*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.

**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.

*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice.  Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor.