The College of Architecture + Design offers a comprehensive interior design curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. All aspects of interior planning are included in the educational background for students whose goal is to qualify as practitioners in professional interior design. Problem solving and creative development as related to the proximate environment are emphasize
d through a curriculum organization which stresses various types of information and processes based upon the student's level within the program. Students will learn to formulate, propose and develop realistic yet creative design solutions; to conduct design programming research effectively; to make effective oral and visual presentations of design proposals; to identify human and environmental factors necessary for creating design solutions that meet the needs of people; to approach design as an integration of programmatic, technical, aesthetic, physiological, behavior and legal aspects
The interior design program at The University of Tennessee had its origins in the crafts and home furnishings movement in Home Economics in the 1930's, as did many other interior design programs across the country. In the late 1940's a stronger emphasis was placed on design through the establishment of a Department of Related Arts. Subsequent changes in subject content were reflected in changing departmental titles: Crafts, Interior Design and Housing (1975), Interior Design and Housing (1978), Textiles, Merchandising and Design (1980), and Textiles, Retailing and Interior Design (1991).
