Interior Design School Accreditation
The interior design industry places a strong emphasis on attending a college or university accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), known formerly as Foundation for Interior Design Education Research (FIDER), an organization established in 1970 to create standards for curriculum and quality.
Accreditation is a way for a student to verify the quality of the education they will receive.
In some states, interior design might be controlled by government regulations. That's only one of the reasons why it's essential that an interior design program holds fast to standards established by the interior design industry and its professionals. Accreditation ensures this, in addition to certifying that the education received is pertinent to employment.
Along with CIDA, six regional authorities in the U.S. accredit interior design programs:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
- North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges
- Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges
- Middle State Association of Colleges and Schools
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
