BOONE—The Council of Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), a non-profit organization that accredits post-secondary design programs in the United States and Canada, has reaffirmed accreditation of the Appalachian State University interior design program in the College of Fine and Applied Arts. As one of just six accredited interior design programs in the state, the reaffirmation means that the program meets quality standards recognized by the profession.

Accreditation is a rigorous—but voluntary—process that requires a detailed program analysis and evaluation by current faculty, a three-day site visit from the accrediting body and a report by the visiting team that details whether the program meets quality standards. The process also provides continued program development and an opportunity to adopt evolving professional requirements.

Associate Professor of Interior Design Jeanne Mercer-Ballard said this accreditation promises students can be confident in the education and professional preparation provided through the major. “We are proud that our visiting team report contained only strengths of the program,” she said. “CIDA accreditation confirms the high quality of our program and demonstrates to students that Appalachian is a great choice for interior design.”

The program will submit a progress report to CIDA addressing ongoing program development after three years, and will seek reaffirmation of accreditation in 2022.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

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