There are two studio courses and the balance are lecture courses in the history and theory of architectural style. Students must file a petition requesting the minor in the School of Architecture. Arts and science courses can be taken at Syracuse University during the summer or at other accredited institutions. The exception to the above is that students may receive credit for design studios offered abroad by EDI faculty. Each summer an EDI faculty member teaches a studio-based program at the Syracuse University Center in Florence, Italy.
Students receive six credits for two studio courses.
Numerous field trips to villas, gardens, palaces and urban centers in Rome, Pompeii, Vicenza and Venice are included. Field trips are an essential part of teaching the realities of the built interior environment, its form, function and contents. Built into most courses are firsthand investigations, whether for sketching, walking through environments, observing people's activities, interviews in the workplace, and seeing objects and materials in museums or product showrooms. Professional societies serve to advance the various professions and to represent designers to the public. They provide information, resources, research, continuing education, lobbying efforts, codes of ethics and many other services for their memberships.