The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) is the accrediting body for programs of Interior Architecture and Design. Visit the FAQs page of the CIDA website for answers to frequently asked questions concerning accreditation. In the state of Illinois the following institutions have programs accredited by the CIDA: Columbia College, The Illinois Institute of Art, Illinois State University, and Southern Illinois University. Visit the CIDA website to view programs outside of Illinois.
Columbia College. Chicago, IL. The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture is accredited by the CIDA. For transfer information refer to the admissions page. Admissions information for transfer students can be found toward the bottom of that page. Students interested in this school are highly encouraged to work with Columbia advisers and CCC faculty as early as possible. Students interested in transferring to Columbia College are encouraged to complete the AAS in Architecture degree. To see how our courses transfer visit the CCC-Columbia Transfer Guide.
ISU. Normal, IL. The Interior and Environmental Design sequence toward a BA or BS in Family and Consumer Services is accredited by CIDA. For transfer information refer to the admissions page. Admissions information for transfer students can be found toward the bottom of the page. Students interested in this school are highly encouraged to work with ISU advisers and CCC faculty as early as possible.
SAIC Chicago, IL. Students interested in Interior Architecture may consider a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at the SAIC. Although the program is not accredited by CIDA, the BFA prepares students for the NCIDQ exam given by the Council for Interior Design Qualification. CCC has an articulation agreement (scroll down to the Community College Transfer Agreements section) with the SAIC which enables students to enter as juniors. The articulation agreement allows students to take up to 30 studio credits at the City Colleges of Chicago. Note: Although CCC Architecture classes are not listed as studio electives on the articulation agreement, students have successfully transferred them to the SAIC, but they have done this by taking additional studio classes in addition to the AFA or have switched to an AGS degree which permits more elective credits. Students interested in this school are highly encouraged to work with SAIC advisers and CCC faculty as early as possible.
SIU Carbondale, IL. SIU offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design. The program is accredited CIDA. The majority of CCC Architecture courses will directly transfer to SIU. Students interested in this school are highly encouraged to work with SIU advisers and CCC faculty as early as possible.