MC Interior Design program earns CIDA reaccreditation

Mandy Berdami, left, professor and Interior Design program coordinator, said MC is one of only three CIDA-accredited programs in the state.

The Interior Design program at Mississippi College has earned reaccreditation from the Council for Interior Design Accreditation for a full six-year term, effective May 2026.

Mike Highfield, MC Provost and Executive Vice President, said the CIDA reaccreditation indicates MC’s Interior Design program meets rigorous national standards and is preparing students with the knowledge, technical skills and professional competencies required for success in interior design.

“This achievement is the result of thoughtful leadership and sustained effort,” Highfield said. “I want to specifically recognize Mandy Berdami and Rachel Lantz for their work throughout this process. Their commitment to the program, to their students and to doing things the right way is clearly reflected in the glowing letter we received from CIDA.”

In that letter, the council commended MC’s Interior Design program for addressing the “evolving components of graduate preparation for interior design practice,” including critical thinking, professional values and processes that provide the framework of interior design practice, and core design and technical knowledge that provide the historical, theoretical and technical contents of interior design practice.

The accreditation commission’s decision was based on the interior design program’s demonstrated achievement of sixteen accreditation standards, which are evaluated within the context and overarching purpose and intent of the program.

“Award of CIDA accreditation attests to the quality of the interior design program and benefits the public and program in many ways,” stated the letter from the CIDA. “Parents, students and employers of graduates can be assured that the program meets the rigor of peer review and develops the skills and knowledge required to practice interior design.

“Furthermore, the accreditation process provides the program with valuable input for continued development and assists the program in adapting to meet evolving professional requirements as CIDA updates standards.”

Lantz said reaccreditation is important for MC’s Interior Design program because it validates the professional-level education the University provides.

“Graduation from a CIDA-accredited program is an important step in the interior design professional journey and places MC with the most respected programs in the country,” Lantz said.

Berdami highlighted growth and increased recruitment opportunities.

“This reaccreditation impacts the careers of recent program graduates and our current enrollment of more than 50 students,” Berdami said. “It also positions us for great future growth as one of only three accredited programs in the state and one of the very few at a Christian university.”

MC’s Interior Design program enhances student learning, professional preparation and industry engagement.

Interior designers are skilled, knowledgeable and sought-after professionals because of the CIDA’s continuous improvement, monitoring, assessment and advocacy of interior design education and expertise. With integrity, rigor and continuous improvement, the council advances the profession of interior design through a collaborative approach to standard-setting for accreditation of interior design higher education programs.

The CIDA is an independent, non-profit accrediting organization for interior design education programs at colleges and universities in the U.S. and internationally. For more than 35 years, the organization has been committed to the ongoing enrichment of the interior design profession through identifying, developing and promoting quality standards for the education of entry-level interior designers, and encouraging, accrediting and supporting educational programs to aspire to those standards.