B.S stands for bull sh*t. Get a degree in architecture. We have two "interior designers" in our firm just picking tables and light fixtures all day. You don't need a degree for that. 

It also stands for a bachelors of science. So are you saying that a degree in Interior Design is pretty much worthless?

If you want to go into architecture only, it wouldn't make much sense. If you're still looking to find your focus, it wouldn't hurt to take something like Interior Design and then other courses in related majors to complete a more liberal education. 

Two professions aren't that different. Same basic set of skills catering to human space.

Yes- I am saying that ID is bullshit. I don't think that I could have made that or could make my stance on this issue any clearer. 

Interior Designers are wannabe architects. Period. 

I don't have a problem with interior design education, if that's what you want to do.  I've worked with some who did a wide variety of tasks, though not as varied as those of an architect.  Some people like working with spaces, but not calculating the deflection of a steel beam or how to size duct work, in addition to designing buildings, or spaces.  People with interior design degrees work in interior design firms, or in architecture firms.  Will some architects, and architecture firms, be cavalier to them?  Some will and some won't.  If they aspire to the same level of magnitude as the architect's input toward a major project, that would be a recipe for disappointment for the interior designer.  However, I have seen interior designers sneakily take the credit for giving a building its personality, especially when the architects are of the low-key, "just the facts, ma'am" variety.  Keep in mind that it is more limiting if you choose the B.S. in Interior Design when it comes to making decisions about what the building's spatial organization and enclosure will look like.  You might get some niches, furr outs, and ceiling coves go in your favor, but not much more.

The idea that interior design is bullshit is totally bullshit. Interior design is different from architecture and architects in general can't use colors in harmony to save their lives. Interior design is important too because people want to feel emotional connection to places they live in and they're more willing to spend money if you can cater to that need. If I were you and if I had money I'd go for the interior design degree and then do the MArch OR finish the 5 year architecture program and learn interior design in a continuing education program. That way if you get screwed by architecture you can do interior styling as a fallback and you can always supplement your income by getting interior design clients by yourself if you choose to work freelance. I don't recommend getting a B.S. in Architectural Studies, with a BS degree you will be unwanted in both professions. I went through the BS route you'll learn absolutely nothing about interior design in that program.

Interior-design is pretty useless and interior-architecture is just plain insulting. Anyone can pick furniture and carpets from catalogues, you do not need any post-secondary education to do this.

good one Paradoxx86. This is exactly what i was discussing with an architect friend of mine who was about to pursue further ID training at university and yet had dismissed the idea of taking a colour course. Architects generally suck at colour. that didn't make sense to me (not wanting to do the colour course)..

Also, there is another very profitable way of professionally bridging ID and Architecture eventually and that would be through one-stop refurbishment of buildings. depending on where you are, people do not (and should not) build as many new buildings as refurbishing new ones.

i've worked with a few ID people and its very surprising how even more level-headed they are when it came to obvious stuff that architects - obsessing over spatial abstractions and just trying to resolve the complexity of coming up with everything out of nothing (when ID have something to base their work on generally)- sometimes miss: not only optimizing spaces, but even sometimes giving salient advice on location of specific spaces and so on to optimize functionality and aesthetics. 

I totally believe having both under your wing would be great. and to top, ID people generally are still not embarassed to draw and colour in their presentation and work. visualization is even more a immediate necessity for them. so you'll have that additional training as well.

Tam, my experience is completely the opposite from yours.

A interiors education is great, however you need to get the M.arch after, it produces a great somewhat broad education and you have a better understanding of scale and human use than a lot of architects, the interior is part of the architecture too. I say do both and you will be in good shape. Out of the US many of the Interiors programs are just as demanding as the architectural some even in the US are good. People in the US just follow the old stereotype BS that interior designer = housewife. Its a good education I would only recommend a architecture graduate degree so you are not limited.  

Beep, if your architecture school did not teach scale and human use then you went to a terrible program. I've had to remind too many int-des too many times that their furniture interferes with small things, like windows and columns, to give the "profession" much credibility. I am sure some are decent if not stellar designers but there are just way too many out-there and the programs too easy/simple that the talent pool is over-saturated.

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! Even though some of you are completely against a degree in interior design. I believe I've finally decided to major in interior design, then get some work experience and continue on and get a M. Arch. I like the idea of being able to refurbish existing buildings and design new ones.

It does concern me that so many students are going into interior design and architecture, but I really love them both. And I feel like if I have both degrees under my belt it'll give me a competitive edge over those who only have one.