The Art Institute of Pittsburgh proudly announces prestigious accreditation awarded to Interior Design Degree Program

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh announced today that its bachelor's degree program in Interior Design has been recognized with 6-year term of accreditation by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), formerly known as FIDER. This accreditation applies to the on ground curriculum delivery mode.

The Art Institute's Interior Design department opted to prepare for an extensive 2-year review process including a self-assessment study and detailed curriculum review leading up to a four-day evaluation in October by team comprised of a cross-section of interior design educators and industry professionals across the country.

A quote from the Council for Interior Design Accreditation Council's Commission letter: "... the accreditation Commission voted to grant accreditation to the interior design program at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. The term of accreditation is six years. As a condition of accreditation, the program must undergo an interim review in spring 2010, at which time the online delivery method must be evaluated in addition the campus-based delivery method."

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh administration and Interior Design department considers CIDA accreditation to be an important recognition of the academic quality of our established program.

The Council for Interior Design Accreditation provides the foundation for future excellence in the interior design profession by setting standards for education and accrediting academic programs that meet those standards. CIDA accreditation is designed to provide assurance to students that a college's program meets industry standards and positively positions graduates for entry-level employment with future growth potential. Completion of a CIDA-accredited degree program also provides (but does not ensure) an easier professional certification process in many states, as well as favorable status for (but does not guarantee) graduate school admission.

"We value The Council for Interior Design Accreditation as an organization of respected industry leaders committed to advancing the standards of interior design education," said Kelly JK Spewock, Academic Department Director of Interior Design at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh. "Their stamp of approval is not only important to our students, it is important for the future of our profession."

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh joins the ranks of Drexel University, LaRoche College, Moore College of Art and Design and Philadelphia University as the only Interior Design degree programs to be awarded CIDA accreditation in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. More information about CIDA is available at www.accredit-id.org.

The Interior Design program at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh has been preparing graduates for the industry for more than 30 years. Interior design alumni work as designers for companies such as Burt Hill, L.D. Astorino Companies, IKM Incorporated and many other prestigious architecture and design firms specializing in commercial and residential design.