11.18.10 | Boston, MA | The New England School of Art & Design at Suffolk University (NESAD) has been named one of the “Top 10” interior design programs in the United States at both the undergraduate and graduate level by DesignIntelligence magazine.

In the November/December 2010 issue of the magazine, NESAD was ranked among the nation’s premier design schools, prominently displayed on the “America’s Best Architecture & Design Schools” list.

“We take great pride in being recognized nationally for who we are and what we do,” said NESAD Chairman Bill Davis. “Being ranked among some of the best known institutions throughout the country is a tribute for all the hard work, creative talent and committed effort demonstrated by everyone at NESAD.”

DesignIntelligence, a trade magazine for the design industry, conducted its 12th annual survey in mid-2010. Selected professional practice leaders who have direct experience in hiring and in evaluating the performance of recent architecture and design graduates were invited to participate in the research. Survey participants, who were drawn from a database of 220 leading firms and organizations in the United States, were queried about which college and university programs are best preparing students for professional practice.

“It has been a long-term and persistent effort to build our school to where it is today,” said Davis, who has been part of the Suffolk University community for nearly 40 years. “We have an outstanding student body, faculty and curriculum. In addition, the employability rating of our graduates, even during challenging economic times, is also impressive, which is something we’re very proud of.”

In DesignIntelligence’s final rankings of “Top 10 Interior Design Programs” nationwide, NESAD’s undergraduate program was rated fifth, while its graduate program secured a sixth place spot. In the Interior Design Skills Assessment category, the overall NESAD program was ranked number one in the area of Communication. NESAD also finished second in the Design category and third in the area of Sustainable Design Practices and Principles.

“I’ve always considered our school a ‘best kept secret’ and it’s nice to see we’re getting the recognition we deserve,” said Professor Karen Clarke, co-program director of the Interior Design program at NESAD. “Our dedicated, international faculty and administration have largely contributed to the success of our program. And the accomplishments of our students have been amazing; they are continually winning prestigious scholarships and hired by global interior design and architectural firms.”

In the fall of 2011, NESAD will launch its first post-professional degree – Master of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture – bringing interior design education to the highest level with in-depth research in Sustainability, Advanced Lighting, Environmental Graphic Design, and/or Design Studies.

“This will provide students with an opportunity for advanced intellectual pursuit and to develop leadership skills in the field of interior architecture,” noted Clarke.

About NESAD

The New England School of Art & Design at Suffolk University, located at 75 Arlington Street in Boston, is an artistic and intellectual community that fosters creative thinking and provides its students with an intensive, relevant, and rewarding education in the visual arts. With the guidance of its professional faculty, aspiring artists and designers learn to build both theoretical and practical foundations, expand their vision, and explore new avenues of expression.

About Suffolk University

Suffolk University, located in historic downtown Boston, with international campuses in Madrid and Dakar, Senegal, is a comprehensive global institution distinguished by the teaching and the intellectual contributions of its faculty. Suffolk University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in more than 90 areas of study. Its mission is to provide access to excellence in higher education to students of all ages and backgrounds, with strong emphasis on diversity. Learn more at www.moderntheatre.com.