PITTSBURGH — Capitalizing on student demand for a three-year degree program that maintains academic rigor while lowering the total cost of tuition, Chatham University will launch its first three-year Bachelor of Interior Architecture (BIA) degree this fall, according to an announcement by the Office of Academic Affairs.

The three-year program utilizes concurrent seven-week intensive design studios within a 14-week term, allowing students opportunities for specialized learning experiences. Because of this unique sequencing, students do not take credit overloads throughout a term. This exceptional program does not require summer study and thereby allows students the opportunity to participate in travel programs or internships. The format saves students a full year of tuition and is distinctive from most three-year degree programs which require summer study, according to Laura S. Armesto, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs.

The University's Office of Admissions will host a special open house for high school- and college-aged women on Thursday, July 23 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at its new Chatham Eastside facility, 6585 Penn Avenue. To register for the open house call 412-365-1672 or email lzandier@chatham.edu.

"As the economy continues to affect families and their college decisions, we wanted to offer a program that would shorten the student's time in college without sacrificing both academic quality and the opportunity for summer learning," noted "The three-year BIA accomplishes this and will help graduates enter the workforce a year ahead of the competition." She added that the students will still have the opportunity to take advantage of Chatham's one-year master's degree program and earn a Master of Science in Interior Architecture, thereby earning two degrees in four years.

Interior architecture classes will be held in Chatham Eastside, Chatham's new facility less than one mile from its historic Woodland Road location. Chatham Eastside opens in fall 2009 with state-of-the-art classroom and studio spaces designed specifically for the Interior Architecture programs, as well as the University's Landscape Architecture, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant Studies programs.

Chatham's Interior Architecture program is a professional interior design curriculum that stresses holistic design integrated with sustainability and environmental consciousness. Design studios encourage students to explore the built environment of various building types such as healthcare, residential, retail and hospitality, while lecture courses impart the design knowledge needed to create meaningful spaces. The University's Master of Science in Interior Architecture degree, a post-professional interior design degree for students with a first professional degree in interior design or architecture, will transition to an online program offered through the College for Continuing and Professional Studies this fall.