Accreditation & Program Outcomes

Explore this page to learn more about the accreditation, program outcomes, and student achievement data for Chatham's Bachelor of Interior Architecture (BIA).

Program Outcomes & Accreditation

Chatham’s Interior Architecture Program leading to the Bachelor in Interior Architecture is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).

To learn more about CIDA visit: www.accredit-id.org
206 Grandville Avenue, Suite 350, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503 

The CIDA-accredited program prepares students for entry-level interior design practice, for advanced study, and to apply for membership in professional interior design organizations.

The BIA granted by Chatham University meets the educational requirement for eligibility to sit for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Examination (NCIDQ Exam). 

To learn more about NCIDQ Exam eligibility visit: https://www.cidq.org/eligibility-requirements

Chatham University, Bachelor of Interior Architecture, Student Achievement Data

The Bachelor of Interior Architecture (BIA) is a professional interior design program that prepares students for practice in an interior design or architecture firm. A holistic design approach is stressed throughout the four-year program. It typically takes a full-time student taking approximately 15 credits per semester four years to complete the degree program.

CIDA requires all interior design programs to provide “information to the public regarding student achievement, including aggregate data addressing attribution and retention, graduation rates, job placement rates and acceptance to graduate programs.” Chatham University collects and updates this information annually using institutional records and an alumni survey administered 6 months after graduation. 14 of 16 alumni responded to the survey.

Job Placement Rates: 80% (8  of 10) of students who graduated in 2021 are employed in interior design or a related profession. 

Graduation Rates: Of the students who graduated in 2021, 100% (10 of 10) graduated in 4 years.

Acceptance into Graduate Programs: 20% of students who graduated in 2021 (2 of 10) applied for graduate school, and 100% were accepted.

Student Attrition and Retention: 88% of students admitted in the fall of 2020 returned in the fall of 2021, putting attrition at 12%.