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Interior Design: New Students
Information for New Pre-Interior Design Students
- Academic Information
- Required Registration for Students Transferring Within the U of M System
- Academic Advising
- Technology
- Portfolio Review
- Study Abroad
- Student Groups and Professional Organizations
- Working
Academic Information
The interior design major is planned as a four-year major because of the need to sequence studio and non-studio major required courses. In addition, the studio and non-studio major required courses are offered only once a year, either in fall semester or spring semester.
Be sure to use your four-year plan in conjunction with your APAS report to ensure timely graduation. If you have any questions, your academic adviser is your best information source.
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Required Registration: Students transferring within the U of M system
You will receive permission numbers for major required courses that you must take fall term 2012. You must register for the sections you are assigned to.
Permission numbers will be available beginning April 23, 2012. If you are notified of admission after this date, please wait 5 business days from the date posted on your admission e-mail to get your permission numbers. This time is needed to process your permission numbers.
U of M - Twin Cities Campus Students: You must pick up permission numbers at the front desk of CDes Student Services in 12 McNeal Hall. You will need a photo ID to pick up your permission numbers. Our office is open 8:30 am - 4:00 pm.
Students transferring from a U of M coordinate campus (Duluth, Crookston, etc.): If are unable to pick up your permission numbers in person, e-mail your adviser to receive your permission numbers.
Note: New freshmen and students transferring from outside the U of M system (including from CCE) will receive permission numbers at summer orientation, when you will register for fall classes.
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Academic Advising
Your academic adviser will be Wanda Loerch, who can be reached at 612-624-7443 or wloerch@umn.edu.
Note: Advisers do not make their own appointments. To schedule an advising appointment, please call 612-624-1717 or stop by 12 McNeal Hall.
You are required to have an advising appointment with your CDes academic adviser within your first year in the major.
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Technology
The College of Design provides hardware and software information for interior design students.
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Portfolio Review
Portfolio review is a way to evaluate a student's design ability and knowledge of design concepts based on work from the foundation level courses. Portfolio review assures that students have acquired an understanding of essential design knowledge and are prepared to move on to more advanced coursework. Learn more about portfolio review.
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Study Abroad
We highly encourage students to consider spending spring term of their junior year abroad or to complete the required internship in London or Sydney the summer between years three and four of the major. Exposure to other cultures is a critical component of every designer’s education.
Students interested in a study away experience should work closely with their CDes academic adviser and the U of M Learning Abroad Center to learn about their options and outline their course of study. Careful program and course planning will help you stay on track for timely graduation.
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Student Groups and Professional Organizations
Consider joining a CDes or U of M student organization. Popular options for interior design students include:
- Assembly of Architects Student Chapter
- ASID Student Group
- Green Light
- U.S. Green Building Council Student Chapter
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Working
Interior design is a demanding major. It requires a serious time commitment for success. Students can expect to spend 40 to 60 hours per week, in and out of class time, working on assignments. Although we recognize that many students need to work to finance their undergraduate education, the interior design faculty strongly recommend that you work no more than 10 hours per week. Maintaining a high GPA is critical for acceptance to finding a job or landing an internship.
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