<p>If you are going into interior design, Parson's College of Design is NO LONGER approved by FIDER for interior design! I don't know the reason. I should note that RISD, which is reknown for both its art and design program, has never been approved by FIDER for interior design. Again, the reason for this is a mystery.</p>
<p>Cama, it doesn't say much othe than "it is a puzzle."</p>
<p>Thanks for the link, Cama. From my reading of the editor's comment, unlike accreditation associations in many other fields it doesn't appear that FIDER has as much of a hold on defining skills and competencies in interior design, even of schools that are regarded as very good ones. Perhaps the loss of FIDER accreditation by Parsons reflects a decision at Parsons not to seek such accreditation?</p>
<p>Another possibility, which I admit is 100% speculation, is that Parsons is facing resource problems or else is refocusing its programs in some way. As I've mentioned before on this board, I have a nephew who's a student at Parsons (illustration, 3rd year). At the end of last year Parsons cut back on faculty lines in painting, one of his interests, and this seemed to imply some sort of restructuring. But I don't know if it was due to overall budget problems rather than just a refocusing of efforts towards particular areas of strength or high priority.</p>
<p>This article from a couple of years ago, posted above by Cama, explains what's happening at Parsons. Parsons is redesigning its interior design program and folding it into its architecture program. It's not clear whethere there would still be an interior design major. But this article suggests that Parsons has been seeking to strengthen the program, and also mentions that interior design in general (nationally) doesn't have as clear a set of standards as do some other fields.</p>