Interior Design Program - DCTC
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Program Awards
Degree, diploma and certificate options
Award
Credits
Course Delivery
Interior Design - A.A.S. Degree
60 cr.
On Campus
Interior Design: NCIDQ Pathway Certificate
16 cr.
On Campus
100% Online
Delivery
: Daytime classes for A.A.S. Degree, fully online for Certificate (except for completing internship hours)
Start
: Fall Semester, Full-Time
This is a high-demand program; apply early
Contact Admissions
for more information.
Program Overview
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 bachelor’s degree.
Our NCIDQ Pathway Certificate prepares students to apply to take the NCIDQ exam. Completion of an A.A.S. degree in interior design is required before starting this certificate.
Accreditation
The Interior Design Program is affiliated with the
National Kitchen and Bath Association
Award Descriptions
Interior Design - A.A.S. Degree
Students in the A.A.S. degree are provided a laptop for this program, and an associated fee is charged in the first semester for software and hardware cost. The laptop includes all software required for the program, in line with professional trends and all associated updates.
Interior Design: NCIDQ Pathway Certificate
Students in the certificate program must have access to a Windows PC that is compatible with the most up-to-date requirements for both Autodesk AutoCAD and Autodesk Revit. Current System Requirements for this computer can be found on the Autodesk website.
Students must complete an
A.A.S. in Interior Design
before starting this certificate.
Our NCIDQ Pathway Certificate prepares students to apply to take the NCIDQ exam. Completion of an A.A.S. degree in interior design is required before starting this certificate.
Interior Design Advisor & Instructors
Amy Lofquist
Academic & Financial Aid Advisor
alofquist@inverhills.edu
651-450-3422
BIO
Anne Painter
Architecture Technology Instructor
anne.painter@dctc.edu
651-423-8613
BIO
Leah Greuel
Architectural Technology Instructor
leah.greuel@dctc.edu
BIO
Sheena Kieffer
sheena.scott@dctc.edu
BIO
Gina Atkinson
IDES Adjunct
gina.atkinson@dctc.edu
BIO
Testimonials
Interior Design
"DCTC is a great college with very experienced and passionate educators who are always willing to help and guide you when needed."
Rakhi Penogunda
Project Designer, Parameters
Interior Design Graduate
"DCTC definitely prepared me for knowing what was out in the real world and I think that's what makes me a successful designer today."
Jason Zielsdorf
Resource Director, BDH and Young Interiors and Architecture
Interior Design Graduate
"When I started as an intern I felt I knew exactly what to expect out of the cadence or process of a project because what I learned at DCTC was structured in the exact same way an architectural project is structured."
Megan Kennedy
Creative Director, Fluid Interiors
Interior Design Graduate
Program Costs*
Interior Design
Student Fees
Technology
$11.60/credit
Athletics
$3.50/credit
Health Services
$3.50/credit
Student Life/Activity
$6.44/credit
Parking & Security
$5/credit
Statewide Student Association
$0.61/credit
Total
$30.65/credit
Books and course supplies bring additional costs that vary from student to student, semester to semester, depending on course selection.
Complete payment of tuition and fees is required each semester to confirm registration.
Textbook Cost Information
The average cost of textbooks in this program is $600 for IDES courses and $100 for General Education (GE) courses.
Visit the Bookstore website
to find and purchase textbooks.
Specific Course Fee
Course fee for IDES 1121 Critical Thinking and Programming: Laptop Computer Fee.
Interior Design
A.A.S. Degree • 60 credits
Interior Design: NCIDQ Pathway
Certificate • 16 credits
Tuition
$199.65/cr.
$199.65/cr.
Student Fees
$30.65/cr.
$30.65/cr.
Textbooks
$1,100
$425
Laptop Computer Fee for IDES 1121
$2,000
n/a
Presentation Materials
$100
n/a
Grand Total
$17,018
$4,109.80
*Estimated amounts based on 2025-2026
tuition and fees
Scholarship Opportunities
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
Work-Study & Student Worker Positions
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 on Handshake
. For more information, you can review
Work Study Procedure
Financial Aid
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.
Employment
Interior Design
Transfer Options
Interior Design
Transfer TO DCTC
If you are looking to bring in any college credit, visit our
Transfer To DCTC Resource Page
and DCTC will help you through the process.
Transfer FROM DCTC
If you are looking to
transfer to a 4-year institution
after completing your degree, DCTC can help you through the process! Check out our
Transfer From DCTC Resource Page
Transferology
Transfer to Other Institutions
Transferology is used to find out how your courses might transfer to DCTC and any of the participating schools in the Transferology network.
Get an account
for free and create a plan now!
News & Events
Interior Design
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.
Social Media
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.
Follow Interior Design on Facebook
Interior Design Blog
Interior Design News
ABSTRACT: The Art of Design
March 06, 2017
DCTC Interior Design Program Director’s Article Featured in ASID Publication
September 28, 2015
Interior Designers in High Demand
August 05, 2015
Organic Architecture and Interiors
July 05, 2015
ALUMNI NOW – COMMISSIONED ART RESPONDS TO CLIENTS’ VISION
June 05, 2015
View more Interior Design News Stories!
Interior Design Calendar
Clubs & Organizations
Interior Design
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.
Professional Organizations
American Society of Interior Designers
(ASID)
International Furnishings and Design Association
(IFDA)
International Interior Design Association
(IIDA)
National Executive Women in Hospitality
(NEWH)
National Kitchen and Bath Association
(NKBA)
U.S. Green Building Council
(USGBC)
Student 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
For a complete list of extracurricular opportunities at DCTC, visit our
Campus Life
page.
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LOCATION
Rosemount Campus
1300 145th Street East
Rosemount, MN 55068
651-423-8000
Want to Know More?
Request Additional Info Here!
1300 145th Street E., Rosemount, Minn. 55068-2999
Toll-free 877-937-3282
TTY 800-627-3529
A member of
Minnesota State
DCTC is an
affirmative action, equal opportunity, employer and educator
DCTC is
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Dakota County Technical College
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