By Andrew Hall
AFRO Intern
ahall@afro.com
Morgan State University’s (Morgan) status as a leader among historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) was reinforced after its School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P) received official accreditation from two premier design education organizations.
Morgan’s Bachelor of Science in Interior Design program earned accreditation from the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). This historic achievement marks the first time the CIDA, an internationally recognized organization, has issued this eminent accreditation to an HBCU. The school’s Master of Architecture program also secured an eight-year re-accreditation from The National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). SA+P’s graduate program makes Morgan one of seven HBCUs to hold accreditation from the NAAB.
Collectively, these accomplishments further establish the standard of academic excellence at Morgan and expand its influence in shaping the next generation of Black professionals in the field of architecture and design.
CIDA, which is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), assesses the design innovation, technical expertise, and critical thinking of professional-level Interior Design programs to evaluate their quality.
In 2018, growing student demand led to the creation of the Interior Design program at Morgan. It became the first and only HBCU in the nation to offer a Bachelor of Science for Interior Design, attracting transfer students from nearby institutions, and first-year students, particularly from out of state. Accreditation began in May 2026, and will run for a six-year term. Nearly 10 years after the program’s inception, school leadership recognizes the significance of CIDA certification.
“Achieving CIDA accreditation is a significant accomplishment and a testament to our program’s dedication to excellence in professional interior design education. This rigorous process reflects the hard work and commitment of our faculty and students,” said Abimbola Asojo, PH.D., dean of the School of Architecture and Planning, in a press release from the university. “I am proud to celebrate this milestone, which recognizes our Interior Design Program for its outstanding contribution to design education and the future of the profession.”
NAAB is the nation’s only organization with the power to accredit professional architecture degree programs. The Architectural graduate program at Morgan has long been committed to the built environment through planning, design and construction, making it one of the best professional-oriented programs in the country.
“In higher education, we value peer review and assessment. NAAB’s decision to grant Morgan’s Master of Architecture program a full eight-year re-accreditation renewal represents important recognition from our peers in the profession and in education,” said Frederick Scharmen, interim chair, professor, and program director of the Department of Architecture, in a press release. “We are grateful for NAAB’s hard work and for the valuable feedback we received, which will help us continue to grow, develop, and succeed.”
Significantly, data from American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and Zippia show that Black designers represent just 2 percent of the architecture and design workforce in America. By achieving these landmark accreditations, Morgan paves the way for talented students to enter a field where they are underrepresented.
“This milestone is huge for the architecture program because it recognizes and acknowledges Morgan’s academic standards,” said Kayla Bryant, a fourth year architecture student at Morgan. “These accreditations will continue to open doors for many Morgan students.”
Bryant, who plans on joining the Masters of Architecture program following graduation, told AFRO News that the real world experience provided by SA+P prepares students for what to expect when they break into the world of architecture and design.
“Morgan does a really good job at preparing students for what to expect when you get into the architecture field,” said Bryant. “We’ve gone on multiple firm and site visits to get that ‘real world’ experience.”
