Morgan State University’s School of Architecture and Planning Earns Landmark Accreditations, Setting National Standard Among HBCUs

Official Education Quality of Assurance Positions Morgan State as a National Leader in Interior Design and Architecture Education

Baltimore — Cementing its position as a national leader among historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and regionally among higher education design programs focused on the built environment, Morgan State University’s School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P) has officially earned accreditation from two of the nation’s leading design education organizations. The School’s Bachelor of Science in Interior Design program has received accreditation from the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), while its Master of Architecture program has earned an eight-year re-accreditation from the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

Together, the distinctions reinforce the academic rigor, professional relevance and growing national prominence of Morgan’s architecture and interior design programs, while advancing the University’s role in preparing diverse talent to lead the future of design in a profession where Black or African American professionals remain disproportionately low.

The CIDA accreditation marks a historic milestone for Morgan, making it the first HBCU in the nation to earn this distinguished credential for an interior design program from the internationally recognized organization.

SA+P’s Interior Design degree program accreditation takes effect May 2026 for a six-year term with reevaluation scheduled after three years. The program is Maryland’s first and only in-person four-year undergraduate Bachelor of Science program in interior design and the only one in the nation offered by an HBCU.

At the same time, Morgan’s Master of Architecture program recently received an eight-year re-accreditation from the NAAB, reaffirming the strength and quality of the University’s professional architecture education programs. NAAB is the only organization in the United States authorized by the state registration boards to accredit professional degree programs in architecture. Morgan’s graduate program is one of only two professional architecture programs in Maryland and the only such program located in Baltimore.

CIDA is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), evaluates professional-level interior design programs through a comprehensive review process focused on critical thinking, professional values, technical expertise and design innovation. Accreditation standards also assess the institutional systems, facilities and academic resources necessary to support a high-quality learning environment for future design professionals.

“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 at Morgan. “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.”

This achievement is particularly significant as industry data from the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and Zippia show that Black designers make up only about 2% of the national architecture and design workforce. Morgan’s accreditation milestone represents a major advancement in expanding pathways into the profession for underrepresented students.

Established in Fall 2018 in response to growing student demand, Morgan’s Interior Design Program has experienced rapid growth and increasing national visibility. Enrollment has continued to rise steadily, including strong interest from transfer students attending regional institutions such as Montgomery College, Anne Arundel Community College and the Community College of Baltimore County. First-year enrollment exceeded expectations, with a 214% increase driven by longstanding demand, while overall enrollment has continued to grow by an average of 18% annually. As of 2024, nearly 50% of Morgan’s Interior Design majors are non-Maryland resident students, reflecting the University’s expanding national reach.

“This is a major milestone, and we are thrilled, as we approach the Interior Design degree’s 10th Anniversary in 2028. We look forward to new and exciting ways to celebrate the design world and Baltimore City in our new capacity as a nationally accredited degree program,” said Kimberly Morrison Race, interim program director and professor of practice at Morgan State. “This would not be possible without the ongoing engagement and commitment of the School of Architecture and Planning and our family at Morgan State University. 

Since its inception more than 30 years ago, Morgan’s School of Architecture and Planning has evolved to one of the nation’s leading profession-oriented educational programs, focused on the planning, design and management of the built environment. Morgan’s Master of Architecture is one of only seven NAAB- accredited architecture programs housed at HBCU’s nationwide and remains one of the few accredited professional architecture programs at HBCUs nationwide.

“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. “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.”

Students in the program attend classes in the Center for the Built Environment and Infrastructure Studies (CBEIS), a 126,000 GSF USGBC Gold LEED certified facility that supports Morgan’s engineering and design programs. The facility incorporates sustainable design principles and cutting-edge technology while serving as a model for responsible planning, design, engineering, and innovation.

Achieving accreditation reflects a program’s commitment to preparing students for entry-level practice and long-term success in the field. Both the CIDA and NAAB accreditation processes involve rigorous self-study, peer evaluation, and comprehensive site reviews, all designed to ensure academic excellence and continuous improvement.

About Morgan

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering more than 150 baccalaureate, master’s degree, doctorate and certificate programs. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

Media Contacts:

Larry Jones, Dell Jackson or Cheryl Stewart for Morgan State University PR
443-885-3022