Interior Design
Location: Chicago, IL
Course: ID 4302H - Study in America Sustainable Chicago and ID 3321 - Contemporary Interiors and Architecture
CRN: TBD
Program Directors: Ali Chopra, fcz5@txstate.edu and Amber Branham, ab1390@txstate.edu
Course Dates: Summer I, May 27 - June 27, 2025
Travel: June 6 - 13, 2025
Program Fee: $2,470
Course Tuition: 3-hours $1,068.24, 6-hours $2,136.48
*Financial Aid eligible
Sustainable Interior Design

Applications are Closed
Study in America applications for summer 2025 closed January 24. Watch your email for updates.
Program Itinerary
This Study in America program focuses on individual student’s exploration of interior design through global, sustainable, wellness and diversity lens. The program provides students with the opportunity to attend the interior design conference NEOCON in Chicago, and to select contemporary issues or problems identified during the conference to develop a design solution.
Date | Activities | Outcomes | |
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Friday, June 6 | Travel to Chicago, IL. | ||
Saturday, June 7 | Frank Lloyd Wright home and Unity Temple tour. | Visit the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio to understand late 19th Century Architecture and interiors, observing custom furniture and textiles that Frank Lloyd Wright had introduced in his personal home and studio environment. Visit Unity Temple to observe 19th Century Architecture that was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright to understand the natural materials and characteristics. Students will observe other Frank Lloyd Wright projects in proxemic walking distance in Oak Hill neighborhood. | |
Sunday, June 8 | Sketching seminar, architectural boat tour, and NeoCon. | Students will attend the architecture boat tour and will be exposed to all architecture from 18th-21 century architecture. We will discuss the contemporary issues our industry is facing with design and construction. What is it like to design a livable city? | |
Monday, June 9 | NeoCon. | NeoCon has served as the world’s leading platform and most important event of the year for the commercial design industry since 1969. A launch pad for innovation, NeoCon offers ideas and introductions that shape the built environment today and into the future. The industry’s major manufacturers as well as the latest emerging companies will showcase thousands of new products and services in categories including Furniture, Fabrics, Flooring, Interior Building Products, Interior Finishes and Technology. Design professionals representing markets ranging from Workplace, Healthcare, Hospitality, Retail, Education, Public Space and Government, converge each year at NeoCon to connect, learn and do business. The NeoCon exhibition is complemented by first-class educational and inspirational programming offering expertise and insight into the most relevant topics in the industry today. | |
Tuesday, June 10 | NeoCon. | See outcomes from June 9. | |
Wednesday, June 11 | Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago Institute of Art, Walking tour of downtown including Auditorium and Rookery, Tribune Tower, and Millennium Park-Pritzker Pavilion. | Explore downtown and the early financial district architecture. A blend of 19th and 20th century architecture will be toured and understand historical preservation projects. Students will tour contemporary museums focusing on today's contemporary art current issues and past. Understand how sustainability is introduced in a walkable and livable city. | |
Thursday, June 12 | Robbie House tour. | Learning about the late 19th century historical properties in Chicago and how this Victorian architecture revered to some of the well-known architects that prospered in Chicago. | |
Friday, June 13 | Travel home. |
*Itinerary is subject to change.
Application Process
Follow these steps to enroll.
STEP 1
Complete SIA student application. Deadline is January 24, 2025.
STEP 2
Applications reviewed by Program Director & OXP.
STEP 3
Pay $50 program deposit. Deadline is February 21, 2025.
STEP 4
Register for SIA associated course.
Program FAQ


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General Information
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Who is eligible to participate in the program?
This program is open to all undergradaute students.
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Will I need to be in person at the San Marcos campus for the course?
No, you do not need to be in San Marcos to participate in the program. Instruction before and after the program trip will be online.
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What supplies will I need to participate?
Sketchbooks, PC, pens and pencils.
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Do students have to enroll in both courses?
Students can choose to enroll in one or both of the courses associated with the SIA program.
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Costs
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What is included in the program fee?
The program fee includes:
- Lodging at a hotel in Chicago.
- Breakfast throughout the duration of the trip.
- 2 group dinners.
- Frank Llyod Wright home and Studio guided tour.
- Unity Temple guided tour.
- Architectural boat cruise.
- Admission to the Glessner house.
- Admission to the Museum of Contemporary Art.
- Admission to the Chicago Art Institute.
- NeoCon conference.
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What is NOT included in the program fee?
The program fee does not include:
- Airfare to/from Chicago.
- Lunch throughout the duration of the trip, 5 dinners.
- Metro Pass and rideshares.
- Any additional activities students participate in during program free time.
- Course tuition.
*Per OXP policy, airfare is purchased by the student is not refundable by the university. Students are encouraged to purchase flexible airfare or travel insurance in case of the event they are unable to travel.
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What is the program deposit?
Students are required to pay a $50 nonrefundable program deposit to secure their spot in the program. The deposit is applied to the overall program fee.
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Is Study in America Financial Aid eligible?
Yes, SIA programs are financial aid eligible; however, eligibility can vary by student award. Students should always confirm with TXST One Stop whether their financial aid will cover the course tuition and program fee.
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Program Preparation
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Will I need to provide my transportation?
Students are responsible for purchasing airfare to/from Chicago, a Metro Pass upon arrival, and possible taxi/rideshares.
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Is there a dress code for specific visits?
Yes, NeoCon will have a required dress code.
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Will there be downtime on the trip?
Yes, students will have downtime in the evenings.
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Drop & Refund Policy
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Course Tuition Refund
Refunds for a dropped extension course are given according to university policy for regular university courses on campus. Refer to the TXST One Stop for more information.
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SIA Program Fee Refund
Students may receive a refund for the program fee if they drop/withdraw within the refund schedule. The program fee refund policy is separate from the refund deadlines associated with course tuition costs.
The following policy applies to students that drop/withdraw from the course/program:
- 100% of the program fee is refundable 45 days prior to the course start date.
- 70% of the program fee is refundable 44 days prior to the course start date.
- 50% of the program fee is refundable after the first start date of the course.
Students that cannot complete the program and would like to appeal the refund policy, please contact extension@txstate.edu for assistance.
Please note the course start date is not the first day of travel.
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