Department of Interior Design

You will empower your environment and create meaningful spaces

Elevate the way people live by curating spaces that are both eye-catching and functional. Brenau’s Department of Interior Design will help you build a foundational knowledge of interior design, so you can critically weigh design decisions and concepts, and achieve your dream of becoming an effective interior designer.

Why Brenau?

Have the opportunity to showcase your creative work at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.
Learn in close proximity to some of the biggest interior design firms in the country, which offer internship opportunities
Create a personalized schedule with your dedicated faculty advisor, working in partnership towards your educational goals.
Take Studio classes in a small, creative environment with an 9:1 student-to-teacher ratio.
Learn from professors who have real-world interior design industry experience and are NCIDQ-certified.
Travel to design firms and showrooms in and around Atlanta to meet and learn from industry professionals first-hand.
Have the freedom and flexibility to explore areas of the field that interest you
Membership in the American Society of Interior Designers through the Brenau + ASID Higher Education Partnership.

Choose the best path for you

College of Fine Arts & Humanities, Interior Design
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design

Undergraduate / BFA
College of Fine Arts & Humanities, Interior Design
Master of Fine Arts in Interior Design

Graduate / MFA

We do a lot of research first before getting into the design, and I really enjoy that because it’s like I’m not just doing it because it looks nice. I’m doing it because it’s been tested and researched, and it works.

Aisa Goforth Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design '21

I’ve kind of always had that creative side to me, and I wanted to do something that I’d enjoy. Everyone in the Interior Design program was so welcoming and helpful, both the teachers and my classmates. It was just like a little family.

Giselle Lucas Delacruz Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design '22

Interior Design student awards:

2022- Bianca Andersen, BFA ’23 receives ASID GA Student Design Excellence Award, Design Concept – Hospitality

2021- Jaci Montalvo, BFA student wins ASID GA Student Design Excellence Award, First Year Design Project

2020- Aisa Goforth, BFA ’21 wins ASID GA Student Design Excellence Award, First Year Design Project

2020- Melissa Paquin, BFA ’20 receives ASID GA Student Design Excellence Award, Design Concept – Hospitality

2019- Laura Harris, MFA ’19 wins ASID Joel Polsky Academic Achievement Award

CIDA Accreditation

Brenau University, Interior Design Program, BFA in Interior Design

It typically takes a full-time student taking approximately 16 credits per semester four years to complete the degree program (8 semesters). It typically takes a transfer student (someone with a previous bachelors or AA degree or whom has completed their required Liberal Education courses) taking approximately 17 credits per semester two and a half years to complete the degree program (5 semesters).

“The following data was collected using institutional records, alumni communications with Chairs, LinkedIn and an alumni survey that was administered 6 months after the class of 2021/22 graduated.”

Student Attrition and Retention

43% of students (first year’s and transfer-in) admitted in the Fall of 2021 returned Fall 2022, putting attrition at 57%.

Graduation Rates

Of the students graduating AY21/22, 100% graduated in 4 years.

Acceptance into Graduate Programs

0% of students who graduated AY 2021/22 applied for graduate school, so acceptance rates were N/A.

Job Placement Rates

89% of students who graduated in AY 2021/22 are employed in interior design or related professions.

Our Faculty & Staff

Contact Us Today

Michael Kleeman
Interior Design Department Chair & Professor of Interior Design
+1-770-534-6266
mkleeman@brenau.edu

Interior Design Faculty & Staff

C. Michael Kleeman, ASID, GAIDP, NCIDQ

Interior Design Department Chair and Professor of Interior Design

Margaret Gilchrist Serrato, Ph.D., MBA, AIA, ASID, LEED AP

Program Director of MFA and Interior Design Professor

Learn more

Jill DeMarotta, IIDA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, EDAC, CHID

Interior Design Professor