Bachelor in Interior Design Major

Suffolk University in Boston, founded in 1906, is a compact urban university serving about 6,315 students, including approximately 861 international learners. Located in the heart of a major global city, Suffolk leverages Boston’s vibrant professional landscape to provide abundant internship and networking opportunities with firms, courts, cultural organizations and startups. The university’s size supports close faculty-student interaction while offering the resources of a large metropolitan area.

Programs at Suffolk focus on preparing students for careers through experiential learning, internships and practical projects tied to local and international employers. Small class sizes foster mentorship and accessible advising, and the institution emphasizes career readiness, professional placement and applied learning across its offerings. International students benefit from tailored support services, visa guidance and orientation activities that help integrate academic and social life.

Campus life at Suffolk blends urban convenience with student-centered services: clubs, cultural events and career fairs are regularly held to connect learners with employers throughout Boston. For students seeking a professionally oriented education in a dynamic city environment, Suffolk offers a compact campus experience with strong ties to industry, practical learning pathways and a supportive framework for international scholars.

Graduates of the CIDA-accredited Interior Design Major from Suffolk University go on to roles such as Junior Designer, Interior Designer, and Design Assistant at firms including Capello Design, IA Interior Architects, and Perkins & Will. The four-year program, which includes a 120-hour internship, is grounded in Boston’s design sector and combines extensive exposure to materials and techniques with critiques and discussions. Students learn code-related design criteria, ethical design challenges, and career-readiness, with a focus on sustainable design and the protection of natural resources. The program emphasizes group critiques and professional development through partnerships with STEM programs, offering access to augmented and virtual reality technology. Students present their work to peers, faculty, and industry professionals, and collaborate with specialists in lighting, architecture, and materials. In the Studio I course, students create a sustainable, multicultural design for a real unoccupied retail building near campus, and the program includes a career community tailored for students in the arts and humanities.