The Path to Interior Design
Minnesota Chapter Schools
Alexandria Technical and Community College
Located in Alexandria, this school offers a 72-credit associate's degree with a focus on residential, kitchen/bath or commercial design. Two faculty members provide classroom instruction in the major. After completing coursework, which includes classes in design and drafting, lighting design, presentation techniques and a variety of other courses, students complete an internship. The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) accredits the kitchen/bath track. Alexandria Technical and Community College also offers a 71-credit diploma program.
https://www.alextech1.co/programs/interior-design
Century College
Century College is a two-year community and technical college located in White Bear Lake. Students can choose between an A.A.S. in Interior Design (60 credits), Interior Design Diploma (48 credits), or Home Furnishing Sales Certificate (30 credits), all of which prepare students for a career in residential interior design. Courses are scheduled in a way that accommodates both day and evening students. Additionally, Century College offers a Kitchen and Bath Design Certificate (30 credits) which is accredited by the National Kitchen and Bath Association. This certificate can be completed 100% online but also has daytime offerings for those who are located in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
https://www.century.edu/programs/interior-design
Dakota County Technical College
This college is located in Rosemount, MN and offers a 60-credit, 2-year Associates Degree in Individualized Studies. They also offer a 60-credit, 2- year A.A.S. Degree in Technical Management and a 39-credit Diploma in Residential Interior Design. Their program’s emphasis is placed on acquiring the hands-on knowledge and skills to design functional and aesthetically engaging environments. The program is accredited by the National Kitchen and Bath Association.
http://www.dctc.edu/academics/programs-majors/construction-manufacturing/interior-design/
Dunwoody College of Technology
Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis has a 4-year Bachelor of Science degree program taught by interior design working professionals. In this cross-disciplinary program, students work with other design and construction students, take part in design studios, prepare a professional portfolio and fulfill an internship. The Construction Sciences and Building Technology department also offers a variety of other related degree and certificate programs, such as architectural drafting/estimating and construction project supervision.
https://dunwoody.edu/construction/interior-design/
North Dakota State University
This University is located in Fargo, North Dakota in the the Apparel, Design and Hospitality Management Department, and is accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). The program offers a 4-year undergraduate, Bachelor’s in Science degree. The Interior Design program focuses on improving the quality of life and protecting human health and safety through design of the interior environment. The program currently employs four Interior Design faculty members.
https://www.ndsu.edu/adhm/interior-design/about.html
South Dakota State University
This University is located in Brookings, SD in the School of Design. They are accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accredidation (CIDA) and offer a 4-year undergraduate program for a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts Degree. The program teaches students the importance and value of the design process and design thinking, promote the awareness and knowledge of the contributions of the profession to the health, safety and well being of people in the built environment. The program currently employs three Interior Design faculty members.
http://catalog.sdstate.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=34&poid=8058
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
This university's College of Design is located on the St. Paul Campus and also the East Bank, Minneapolis Campus. The Program offers a 4-year undergraduate program for a Bachelor's in Science degree with three levels of graduate programs. The Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) accredits the bachelor's degree program, which focus on sustainable, human-centered design solutions and learning experiences. Students in the master's degree programs research human behavior issues related to design and become eligible to teach. Ph.D. students prepare further for design research and teaching. The program currently employs five Interior design faculty members.
https://design.umn.edu/academics/interior.html
How to become a NCIDQ Certified Interior Designer -
Eligibility Requirements:
There are specific education and work requirements that allow you to be eligible to sit for the NCIDQ examination. Information on this can be found on the CIDQ site, where it also lists the different routes to the exam. For the visual and more information on all the routes see CIDQ eligibility requirements.
Route to NCIDQ exam change:
We have all heard that “Route 5” is being phased out and will no longer be a path after December 31, 2018.
Route 5 - An Associates degree comprised of 40 semester/60 quarter units of interior design courses, plus 7,040 hours of qualifying work experience.