Courses in interior design were offered as early as the 1930s within the Art Department. Related courses in “home furnishings” were found in the Home Economics Department.
It was not until 1975 that a formal degree program in interior design was created and the Department of Housing and Interior Design was established within the School of Home Economics. Mary Miller, a Woman’s College alumna and a member of the UNCG faculty since 1967, was named the first chair of the department.
In 1993, the program became the first interiors program in North Carolina to be accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).
In 2002, the Department of Housing and Interior Design was renamed the Department of Interior Architecture.
Department of Housing and Interior Design Chairs:
- Mary C. Miller (1975-1983)
- Jan G. McArthur (1983-1990)
- Novem Mason (1990-1999)
- Tom Lambeth (1999-2002, continuing as chair of the Department of Interior Architecture)