The New England School of Art & Design at Suffolk University (NESAD) has been named one of the “Top 10” interior design programs in the United States at both the undergraduate and graduate level by DesignIntelligence magazine.

In the November/December 2010 issue of the magazine, NESAD was ranked among the nation’s premier design schools, prominently displayed on the “2011 America’s Best Architecture & Design Schools” list.

“We take great pride in being recognized nationally for who we are and what we do,” said NESAD Chairman Bill Davis. “Being ranked among some of the best known institutions throughout the country is a tribute for all the hard work, creative talent and committed effort demonstrated by everyone at NESAD.”

DesignIntelligence, a trade magazine for the design industry, conducted its 12th annual survey in mid-2010. Selected professional practice leaders who have direct experience in hiring and in evaluating the performance of recent architecture and design graduates were invited to participate in the research. Survey participants, who were drawn from a database of 220 leading firms and organizations in the United States, were queried about which college and university programs are best preparing students for professional practice.

“It has been a long-term and persistent effort to build our school to where it is today,” said Davis, who has been part of the Suffolk University community for nearly 40 years. “We have an outstanding student body, faculty and curriculum. In addition, the employability rating of our graduates, even during challenging economic times, is also impressive, which is something we’re very proud of.”

In DesignIntelligence’s final rankings of “Top 10 Interior Design Programs” nationwide, NESAD’s undergraduate program was rated fifth, while its graduate program secured a sixth place spot. In the Interior Design Skills Assessment category, the overall NESAD program was ranked number one in the area of Communication. NESAD also finished second in the Design category and third in the area of Sustainable Design Practices and Principles.

“I’ve always considered our school a ‘best kept secret’ and it’s nice to see we’re getting the recognition we deserve,” said Professor Karen Clarke, co-program director of the Interior Design program at NESAD. “Our dedicated, international faculty and administration have largely contributed to the success of our program. And the accomplishments of our students have been amazing; they are continually winning prestigious scholarships and hired by global interior design and architectural firms.”

In the fall of 2011, NESAD will launch its first post-professional degree – Master of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture – bringing interior design education to the highest level with in-depth research in Sustainability, Advanced Lighting, Environmental Graphic Design, and/or Design Studies.