VCU Interior Design Again Ranked among Nation’s Best

By Tom Gresham

The Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Interior Design has been ranked among the 10 best undergraduate programs in the country for the second consecutive year, according to the Design Futures Council.

VCU’s program, which is part of the VCU School of the Arts, was selected in a tie for No. 10 among the “2012 America’s Best Architecture and Design Schools” in the November/December issue of the journal DesignIntelligence. The Design Futures Council is an interdisciplinary network of architecture and design leaders that explores global trends and opportunities that advance and shape the future of the industry and environment.

“Only a few interior design programs located in schools of the arts achieve such national recognition,” said Sharran Parkinson, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Interior Design. “Most acknowledgement goes to those located in colleges of architecture or design. This is rewarding to our students, and certainly credits the quality of the faculty.”

The VCU Department of Interior Design is one of the oldest programs of its kind in the United States. The department’s curriculum balances academic training with professional training, emphasizing conceptual knowledge and technical skill. Students receive training in all aspects of interior design, including presentation and communication skills. The department is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation.

“We’re proud that an important industry body such as the Design Futures Council has recognized the continued excellence of our interior design program,” said Joseph Seipel, dean of the VCU School of the Arts. “The department has thrived in the contemporary world of design, providing students with expert training and in-depth knowledge so that they can succeed in their pursuits.”

VCU features a strong roster of interior design faculty, a close relationship with the professional community, active alumni and critical resources for students, including individual work stations for each of the program’s undergraduate students. In order to complete their degree, students must serve internships in a professional design setting.

In addition to the undergraduate program, the Department of Interior Design includes a graduate program, which offers a master of fine arts degree in interior environments. The VCU School of the Arts is ranked No. 4 overall among graduate arts programs in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report.