Interior Design
Design your future with an Interior Design AAS degree, a Residential Kitchen and Bath Design Specialist certificate, or a CAD - Interior Design Certificate from Arapahoe Community College.
Are you someone who spots design possibilities in every room you walk into? Transform your knack for design into a professional career from ACC with an associate degree in Interior Design or a certificate in a design specialty. Gain the skills and education needed to become a qualified Interior Designer ready to delve into the residential, commercial, or hospitality design sectors after graduation. ACC's program equips you to take certification exams for interior design or kitchen and bath design post-graduation and with working industry experience. You can complete your interior design education at ACC through in-person classes, online courses, or a combination of the both.
Interior Design Program Information
Interior Design Onboarding
Interior Design Program Onboarding is required for all new and transfer students. Use the button below to schedule one of two onboarding days, both of which are hyflex (in-person or Zoom) options. Onboarding is offered before the Fall and Spring semesters begin.
CIP 500408 (IND)
Since 1975, ACC's Interior Design Program has been shaping future design professionals, making it one of Colorado's oldest and most respected programs. With a strong reputation for quality education, ACC is a recognized leader in the state's interior design community. Interior designers are essential in creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also functional and efficient.
At ACC, students are taught to develop their creative skills to bring their design visions to life while learning the essential processes and ethical practices needed for a successful career. They will explore various design niches, including residential, commercial, kitchen and bath, and more. The program focuses on preparing students to become professional designers who understand the balance between aesthetics, functionality, and responsible design practices, ensuring they are well-prepared to thrive in the dynamic world of interior design. The Interior Design program can be completed in 2.5 years, whether attending classes in-person, online, or a combination of both.
NKBA Accreditation
Note: The ACC Interior Design Program proudly holds accreditation from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), ensuring a top-tier education in one of the industry's most dynamic fields. While kitchen and bath design is woven into the regular curriculum, students looking to dive deeper into this specialty can opt for the Residential Kitchen and Bath Design Certificate. This focused certificate offers an accelerated path to understanding the art of kitchen and bath design, providing targeted education for those eager to specialize in this growing area.
Admission Requirements
- Admission to Arapahoe Community College
- New and transfer students must attend an Interior Design Program Onboarding before beginning the program. A signup link for orientation is available on the Interior Design web page.
- Students should have been assessed to be at college-level in English (see Student Resources and Services - Assessment in this Catalog)
- OR 236 on the NextGen Accuplacer
- OR ACT or SAT scores within the last five years
- OR have earned a previous college degree
- OR have completed any necessary developmental courses, if required, with a grade of "C" or higher before taking Interior Design courses.
- Students wishing to transfer in prior Interior Design or General Education credits to fulfill degree requirements must have official transcripts sent to the ACC Admission and Records Offices. If you have questions after Admissions and Records has evaluated your transcripts, please call 303.797.5958 to schedule an appointment with the IND Department Chair.
Program Requirements
- 9 Credits of Guaranteed Transfer courses - 9 Credits
Note: Interior Design students must select one (1) elective course below to complete the 71 credit Interior Design Program requirement.
Graduation Requirements
- All courses required for this A.A.S. degree must be completed with a grade of "C" or better to meet admission and graduation requirements.
- Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
- As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.
CIP 500408 (4BAT)
Kitchen and Bath Design is an exciting and profitable specialty of the Interior Design industry. The Interior Design Program at ACC is now offering an abbreviated format in Kitchen and Bath Design education – the new Kitchen and Bath Specialist Certificate. This Certificate allows students to attain the necessary training, enabling them to enter the job market in the Kitchen and Bath industry. Students can complete the certificate in three short semesters.
The Interior Design Program at ACC is accredited by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA).
Admission Requirements
- Admission to Arapahoe Community College
- Students must attend an Interior Design Program Orientation prior to registration. Dates for orientations are listed on the ACC website.
- Complete ACCUPLACER assessment with the following minimum scores:
- 95 on Sentence Skills
- OR ACT or SAT scores within the last two years
- OR have earned a previous college degree
- OR have completed any necessary remedial courses, if required, with a grade of "C" or higher before taking Interior Design courses
Students wishing to transfer in Interior Design or General Education credits to fulfill certificate requirements must have official transcripts sent to the ACC Admissions and Records Office. If you have questions after Admissions and Records has evaluated your transcripts, please call 303.797.5958 to schedule an appointment with the IND Department Chair.
Program Requirements
Graduation Requirements
- All courses required for this certificate must earn a grade of "C" or better to meet completion requirements.
- Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
- As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.
CIP 151302 (4ANI)
The Computer Aided Drafting Certificate prepares students for advanced levels of Computer Aided Design (CAD) within industry, utilizing the latest hardware and software releases. The certificate can be completed within one year. This certificate prepares students to perform 2D and 3D design within CAD and other CAD-related software.
Admission Requirements
- Admission to Arapahoe Community College
Program Requirements
Graduation Requirements
- Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
- As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.
ACC academic plans will help guide you through your chosen program. The academic plan will provide you with important information, like which semesters courses are offered if there are any prerequisites or co-requisites for courses, program outcomes, course sequence recommendations, notes for the program, graduation requirements, and other important information. These are updated annually, so we recommend downloading a copy of yours to keep on track to graduation.
The ACC Interior Design degree is fully accredited by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and offers graduates a streamlined approach to professional certification. The program has been awarded the NKBA Program of Excellence for 2015-2016.
NKBA Accreditation
The ACC Interior Design Program is a founding member of the accredited schools through the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and has been awarded the NKBA Award for Excellence in Education nine times since 2004. Several students have placed in the NKBA Student Design Competition including three consecutive first-place honors in the Bath Design portion.
The Kitchen and Bath industry is a specialized area of residential design that requires highly technical and detailed design work. When students complete of the Interior Design Program or the Certificate in Kitchen and Bath Design, they are qualified to sit for the CKBD exam after completing three years of industry experience.
ASID and CIDA Accreditation
CIDA does not offer accreditation to Associate Degree Programs but ASID views ACC as a 3-year program due to the 60 credits of Interior Design coursework. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCIDQ exam after obtaining 3 years or 5280 hours of experience working under the guidance of an NCIDQ-certified designer.
Job Opportunities in Interior Design
Kitchen and Bath Design Specialist Certificate
Embark on a career in the Kitchen and Bath profession in just 3 semesters by earning our Residential Kitchen and Bath Design Specialist Certificate at ACC. This 30-credit program teaches the essential principles of kitchen and bath design. Once you've completed the certificate and required fieldwork experience, you'll have the knowledge and practical skills to take the Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer (CKBD) exam. With additional field experience, you can sit for the Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD) exam.
Throughout the program, you'll gain skills in drafting tools, including AutoCAD and 2020 Design Live, and learn to draft floor plans and interior elevations. You will also become familiar with the trade resources and standards required for the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA).
