Professional Certificates
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Certificate Policies and Resources
Substitutions, Waivers and Transfer Credit
Curriculum and Completion Requirements
Courses Available in
- Visual Arts
- Graphic and Interactive Design
- Interior Design and Interior Architecture
- Landscape Architecture
Rachael Hagner
Program Director
Student Success Story
"There has been a well-rounded range of quality instructors." —Diana Nankin, Certificate Program in Interior Design and Interior Architecture student
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Interior Design and Interior Architecture
View the Brochure
EDP 022137
Are you interested in creating exciting environments for work, play and living? Learn how to design spaces that are beautiful, sustainable, functional and safe with the Certificate Program in Interior Design and Interior Architecture. With this educational experience, you are prepared to enter the profession without any prior background or experience. The certificate offers a comprehensive education that combines studio courses with the study of design theory and history. Develop your presentation skills, and learn valuable resources that allow you to create good design solutions. Enrich your understanding of architecture and design, learn from industry professionals, and build a strong portfolio to excel in the field. The certificate also provides the education and skills needed to qualify for the California Council of Interior Design exam (IDEX) and the National Council for Interior Design Qualification exam (NCIDQ). Join our email list to stay informed about this certificate.
Courses
The table contains the required courses for the Certificate Program in Interior Design and Interior Architecture, as well as the terms they are typically available for enrollment.
19 Required Courses, Minimum 3 Electives, 61 Semester Units (933 Hours of Instruction)
| Required Courses (Phase I) | Course Number | Units/ CEU | Classroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design Principles and Elements | X475 | 3 | Fall Spring Summer |
| Graphic Communication I | X476.1 | 3 | Fall Spring Summer |
| Color Theory and Application for Interiors | X412.7 | 3 | Fall Spring Summer |
| AutoCAD | X479.1 | 3 | Fall Spring Summer |
| Graphic Communication II | X476.2 | 3 | Fall Spring Summer |
| History of Architecture, Interiors and Decorative Arts I | X412.4 | 3 | Fall |
| Digital Presentation Techniques | X481 | 2 | Spring Summer |
| Required Courses (Phase II) | Course Number | Units/ CEU | Classroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design Studio I | X482.1 | 3 | Fall Summer |
| Interior Finishes and Materials | X480 | 3 | Fall Spring |
| History of Architecture, Interiors and Decorative Arts II | X412.5 | 3 | Spring |
| Revit | X479.2 | 3 | Fall Spring Summer |
| Space Planning | X413.8 | 3 | Fall Spring |
| Fundamentals of Lighting Design | X484 | 2 | Fall |
| Design Studio II | X482.2 | 3 | Spring Summer |
| Required Courses (Phase III) | Course Number | Units/ CEU | Classroom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building Components and Systems for Interior Architecture | X483 | 4 | Spring |
| Design Studio III | X482.3 | 3 | Fall Summer |
| Construction Documents | X414.6 | 2 | Summer |
| Business Practices for Interior Designers | X409 | 3 | Fall |
| Design Studio IV | X482.4 | 3 | Fall Spring |
| Electives | Course Number | Units/ CEU | Classroom | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New! Advanced Presentation Skills | X443.3 | 1 | Spring | |
| Advanced Revit | X485 | 2 | Fall | |
| Bathroom Design | X413.6 | 1 | Fall | |
| Designing and Customizing Furniture and Fixtures | X473 | 1 | Summer | |
| Exploring the World of Textiles (offered future term) | X499.2 | 1 | ||
| Fundamentals of Interior Design | X474 | 1 | Fall Spring |
Summer |
| Internship in Interior Design | X409.2 | 2 | Fall Spring Summer | |
| Kitchen Design | X447 | 2 | Spring | |
| Portfolio and Professional Presentation | X413.5 | 2 | Summer | |
| Principles of Sustainable Design | X400.6 | 2 | Spring |
Course availability is subject to change. Begin the certificate curriculum by choosing one or more of the Phase I courses that do not have prerequisites.
To enroll, click on a course title above and choose a section.
You may enroll in individual Phase I courses without registering for the Certificate Program in Interior Design and Interior Architecture.
Who Will Benefit
This certificate is ideal if you are interested in pursuing a career in interior design but have no formal prior training. Designers and architects interested in continuing their professional development are welcome to take individual courses in the program.
Prerequisites for Admission
A bachelor's degree (in any field) is required to register for the Certificate Program in Interior Design and Interior Architecture. An exception may be granted based on previous course work, work experience and portfolio review.
Curriculum Requirements
The curriculum comprises 19 required courses (55 semester units) and a minimum of 3 electives (6 semester units) for a total of 61 semester units (933 hours of instruction). Candidates must pay a nonrefundable certificate registration fee.
All coursework must be completed within five years of registering for the certificate. However, requirements may be updated based on new developments in the field of study; we recommend completing the curriculum in a timely fashion. For more information, please see the completion requirements and the substitutions, waivers and transfer credit policies.
How to Register for This Professional Certificate
We encourage you to establish your candidacy as soon as possible. You are required to apply for admission to the Certificate Program in Interior Design and Interior Architecture prior to enrolling in Phase II courses and Design Studio I X482.1.
To apply, please submit the online registration form with your credit card information or complete the mail-in registration form. Mail it as it indicates, and include the nonrefundable registration fee.
Evidence of a bachelor's degree is required of all new applicants. Once you register for the certificate, please have official transcripts sent to:
Certificate Program in IDIA
UC Berkeley Extension
95 Third St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
As a certificate student, you can receive advance notice of upcoming courses before the general public by contacting the program office. You also have special access to a program coordinator who can offer guidance in choosing the best schedule to complete your coursework in a timely manner.
Estimated Cost
Each course is priced individually, and you pay the course fee at the time of enrollment. The certificate has an estimated total cost of $20,000 (not including textbooks, course materials or registration fee). Course fees are subject to change.
Professional Organizations
All students are eligible to join student chapters of the following professional organizations:
Contact Information
To contact the department office, email interiordes@unex.berkeley.edu or call (415) 284-1070.
Additional Information
Portfolio and Portfolio Review
Careers in interior design and interior architecture are premised on building a portfolio. Each course in the certificate facilitates producing work for your portfolio. Therefore, we highly recommend that you retain work from previous classes that can be used for your portfolio.
Advisory Board
Pamela Babey
Founding Principal
BAMO
Collin Burry
Design Principal
Gensler
Daniel Huntsman
Founding Principal and President
Huntsman Architectural Group
Gary Hutton
Principal
Gary Hutton Design
Charles Kahn
Principal and Founder
Kahn Design Associates
Lorissa Kimm
Principal
Lorissa Kimm Architect
Steven McCollom
WorkplaceOfferings Space and Design Manager
Intuit
Melissa Mizell
Senior Associate
Gensler
David Oldroyd
Principal
Orlando Diaz-Azcuy Design Associates
Barbara Scavullo
President
ScavulloDesign Interiors
Douglas Stead
Executive Vice President
California Council for Interior Design Certification
Jill Stoner
Associate Professor of Architecture
Department of Architecture
UC Berkeley
