Testimonials
Interior Design
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| Awards | Credits | Delivery ( COVID delivery changes) |
|---|---|---|
| Interior Design - A.A.S. Degree | 60 cr. | On Campus |
| Interior Design: NCIDQ Pathway Certificate | 16 cr. | On Campus |
| Program Datasheet: Download the Interior Design Datasheet | ||
This award-winning Interior Design program is a challenging course of study preparing students to launch a career in an exciting and dynamic profession. Emphasis is placed on acquiring the hands-on knowledge and skills to design functional and aesthetically engaging environments. The curriculum is architecturally based and explores spatial design and its embellishment. All aspects of space—scale, proportion, configuration, and lighting, as well as textures, materials, and color—are studied in relation to their effect on human well-being. Technical skills are gained in the latest computer-aided design (CAD), building information management (BIM) software, and 3D visualization and graphics. Current software includes: Auto-Cad, Revit, Sketch-up, 20/20, Photoshop and InDesign. These skills allow students to produce professional presentations and construction documents.
The students work closely in small groups with their instructors/ industry practitioners on projects that develop in size and complexity. Service-learning and inter-disciplinary projects provide a real world experience. Graduates leave the program with a solid technical foundation and have the skills to collaborate with fellow professionals and deliver sustainable interior environments matched to the needs of their clients. Students also have options to transfer Interior Design credits to a 4-year university.
The Interior Design program is accredited by the National Kitchen and Bath Association.
| Interior Design A.A.S. Degree • 60 credits |
Interior Design Diploma • 45 credits |
|
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $174/cr. | $174/cr. |
| Fees | $21.45/cr. | $21.45/cr. |
| Grand Total | $11,727 | $8,795.25 |
Each year, Dakota County Technical College and the DCTC Foundation make more than $200,000 in scholarships available to our students. Students are encouraged to create an account and apply for scholarships online.
Students looking for ways to help finance their college education can find part-time jobs on campus with various DCTC departments and programs. Deliver your completed Work-Study Application to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and search for openings at College Central Network Services. For more information, you can review Work Study Procedure.
Step 1: Apply now for financial aid. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
DCTC's Federal School Code: 010402
Step 2: After receiving an official award letter from DCTC, you may apply online for a Federal Stafford Student Loan. Visit the Loans page for more information.
Interior designers work closely with clients, home owners, businesses, architects, contractors, and tradespeople. They frequently work as members of a design team, primarily in architecture and interior design firms. This can be a highly competitive field, where use of the design process is critical to meeting project deadlines. Graduates will find employment in many areas, such as: residential design/architectural firms, kitchen and bath studios, furnishings, product sales, builders, and showrooms.
According to CAREERwise Education, Minnesota's career, education and job resource, employment for interiors designers is expected to grow 19.3 percent in the U.S. and 16.1 percent in Minnesota by the year 2020. CAREERwise: "Competition for jobs is expected to be strong. Many talented people are attracted to careers as designers. People with little or no formal training in interior design will find it hard to establish a career."
Acquiring a solid, industry-driven education in commercial, kitchen and bath, and residential design gives DCTC interior design students a powerful competitive advantage. U.S. DOL Bureau of Labor Statistics: "Many interior designers work for the specialized design services industry or for architectural, engineering, and related services industries. In 2010, about 30 percent were self-employed."
If you are an Interior Design graduate, check out DCTC's CollegeCentral Jobs for up-to-date job postings.
Articulation Agreements are formal agreements between two or more colleges and/or universities to accept credits in transfer toward a specific academic program. DCTC has articulation agreements in place with a number of public and private colleges and universities.
MN Transfer.org is your official guide to a seamless transfer experience in Minnesota Higher Education. Use this resource to find agreements that DCTC has entered with other Minnesota State institutions.
Do you want to see how your courses transfer to programs at participating colleges and universities? Add the coursework you've taken and use Transferology to find out how it might transfer to any of the participating schools in the Transferology network. Get an account and create a plan now!
Whether you're a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or an international student or transferring from high school or a four-year university, DCTC will help you through the process. Visit our Transfer Students page for more information.
The Interior Design program at DCTC is active throughout the year and makes headlines in industry publications. Read about student success in design competitions, student field trips to national conferences and the accomplishments of our interior design instructors.
As a student majoring in Interior Design, you can get the latest news on your program and the design industry by following your instructors and fellow students on social media.
As a student in DCTC's Interior Design program, you have many opportunities to make connections in the design industry through your involvement in professional clubs and organizations.
DCTC features active, industry-relevant clubs for Interior Design students right on campus. Getting involved in these clubs allows you to make the most of your college experience and gives you an edge when seeking employment in the interior design field. The following two clubs are open to all Interior Design students:
Design Connexion
Design Connexion provides a relaxed, supportive environment for DCTC students to network with fellow students and industry professionals. Design Connexion invites guest speakers to campus and gives students opportunities to attend local and national conferences for professional development in the interior design field. Check out our Design Connexion page on Facebook.
