Important Information For Students

Placement Testing

Program Notes

Program Requirements

Certificates

Course Descriptions

Faculty Advisers

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CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Interior designers are responsible for the health, safety and welfare of the public because of their work in improving the quality of life related to interior spaces and functional environments.

The professional interior designer is qualified by education, experience and examination by the National Council of Interior Design Qualifications (NCIDQ) to perform a variety of tasks. Interior designers analyze the client's needs, goals and life/safety requirements; formulate preliminary design concepts that are appropriate, functional and aesthetic; develop and present working drawings (for non-load bearing walls), floor plans, lighting plans and furniture plans; specify furniture surface materials and finishes; and prepare and administer bids, contracts and professional services necessary to successful implementation of final design solutions.

The College of DuPage Interior Design program combines residential, contract and office design, plus kitchen and bath coursework, with class offerings in computer-aided drafting (CAD). The increase in demand for interior designers with CAD experience has opened many more opportunities in today's job markets.

Students who complete the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree have a variety of options to consider. Some may choose the career goal of becoming a registered Interior Designer or registered Residential Interior Designer; becoming a CAD design specialist; or working in the field as a design consultant. Others may choose to continue their education by transferring credits to a baccalaureate-granting (four-year) interior design degree program through our 2+2 options.

Career-track choices vary depending on portfolio work, skills and interests. Students who want to specialize should consider certificate options in Kitchen and Bath Design, Lighting and/or Computer Applications for interiors. As the aging population changes, new career opportunities are also developing in barrier-free and universal design specialty fields.

Ann Cotton, Professor/Coordinator
AC 259A
(630) 942-3081

Business and Technology Division
IC 2026
(630) 942-2592

PROGRAM NOTES
1. Contact the Interior Design program adviser listed below with any questions regarding the program. Please schedule appointments.

2. The state of Illinois is an Interior Design title registration state. On completion of the A.A.S. degree or certificate, a student cannot use the professional title of Interior Designer or Residential Interior Designer in association with business practice until he or she complies with state title registration requirements. State title registration regulations for Registered Interior Designers currently require minimum interior design education to be the completion of an Interior Design program degree (A.A.S. or A.A.) from a recognized institution such as College of DuPage. The educational requirement must be combined with a minimum of four years of documented, diversified work experience; passage of the National Council of Interior Design Qualifications (NCIDQ) exam; and completion of state title registration forms. Check with the Illinois Professional Regulations Department, Springfield, IL, for current title licensing requirements regarding use of the titles of Interior Designer and Residential Interior Designer. This ruling applies to all graduates of any Interior Design degree or certificate program in the state of Illinois. All aspects and requirements of title registration are subject to change. Note: Students may use any other title except those which are part of the Title Licensing Act (subject to change).

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
The following files describe in detail the requirements for this program. They are portable document format (PDF) files that can be viewed and printed with free Adobe Acrobat Reader software. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader on your computer, you may download it here.

Please consult a faculty adviser listed below before beginning your coursework.

Degree
• Interior Design, Associate in Applied Science
When planning your coursework, use the Student Planning Worksheet. Degree information and the worksheet can be found on the following files:
[Interior Design, A.A.S. Degree, PDF file]
[Student Planning Worksheet, PDF file]

Certificates
• Advanced Kitchen and Bath Design
• Advanced Computer Applications
• Advanced Lighting
Information on the certificates listed above can be found on the following file:
[Certificates, PDF file]

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FACULTY ADVISERS
If you are considering this program as an area of study, consult with a faculty adviser in this field. To send an e-mail, click on the name of the adviser you wish to reach:

	Location	Phone
Ann Cotton, Professor/ Coordinator	AC 259A	(630) 942-3081
Jane Kielb	AC 228	(630) 942-2508

If you are unable to contact an adviser, messages may be left with the Business and Technology Division, IC 2026, (630) 942-2592.

 

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