How to Get Started
To get started in the Interior Design program, complete the admissions process at El Centro College. When you meet with an academic advisor, mention your interest in the Interior Design program so he or she can help you determine which courses you should take.
If you are planning to earn an associate degree or certificate, please note that you must complete 25 percent of your degree requirements at the college awarding the degree.
Tuition
Dallas County residents pay $123 per three-hour class — that’s $41 per credit hour, or less than $500 for a full semester load of 12 credit hours.
Compare that to what you’d pay elsewhere! See DCCCD tuition rates for tuition according to your place of residency.
Courses Offered (Curriculum)
Our catalog provides detailed information about the courses we offer and the courses required for the following associate degree and certificate:
Accreditation
All seven DCCCD colleges are accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and are members of the American Association of Community Colleges, the Association of Texas Colleges and Universities (formerly the college section of the Texas State Teachers Association) and the League for Innovation in the Community College.
Our program has been consecutively accredited since 1970 by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), the accrediting body for interior design in higher education in the U.S. and Canada.
Related Programs at DCCCD
Not sure exactly what you’re looking for? We offer several other programs that might also interest you, such as Fashion Design, Visual Communications and Digital Imaging Technology.
Developing Skills for Success
Cooperative education is available for second- and third-year interior design students. In “cooperative education,” or “co-op,” students take a position with a local design firm in the area of design they want to practice; the position is often paid, but unpaid positions are also accepted.
- Interior Design faculty meet with the employer and student to establish goals and learning objectives.
- Students are required to keep a weekly journal and participate in discussions regarding various topics related to the interior design industry.
- Students must be supervised by an interior designer who has passed the National Council for Interior Design Qualifying Exam (NCIDQ) or with an individual in an established design firm.
- At the end of the semester, another visit is scheduled with the employer to review the student’s goals and objectives and get a final evaluation from the supervising interior designer.
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Capstone Commercial Program With El Centro’s Food and Hospitality Institute
Each fall, students in the Interior Design program’s advanced certificate program collaborate with students from El Centro’s Food and Hospitality Institute on an advanced design project.
Students in each program form teams to research and design a prospective restaurant with a fully-equipped commercial kitchen and dining space for at least 40 clients. Interior design students serve as the design team for the project, while culinary students act as clients and consultants for the project.
The groups come away with a better understanding of both professions and the requirements for completing a project of this type in the real world. Everyone learns about teamwork and cooperation, deadlines and presentation skills.
Faculty Profiles
Our Interior Design faculty members not only have relevant degrees but also have real-world experience in the industry, which makes them able to relate to the challenges you face at work.
Our instructors work closely with you one-on-one, encouraging you and helping you to succeed in school and on the job. See profiles of some of our Interior Design faculty.
Transferring From DCCCD
Interior Design courses are designed for direct entry into the workforce. However, if you are interested in earning a degree at a four-year institution, please visit the Transfer Services Web site for guidance on the transfer process.
Links to Related Information
See links to some interior design-related organizations and informational sites.
Contact Us
If you have questions about the Interior Design program that aren’t answered on our Web site, please feel free to contact us.