Frequently Asked Questions for Interior Design
To join the program, you must pay a non-refundable certificate registration fee. You may take a course or two to see if the program is right for you, but you must be registered prior to beginning Phase 2.
The curriculum comprises 21 required courses (57 semester units) and two to four electives (4 semester units) for a total of 61 semester units.
All courses must be taken for a letter grade. To receive the certificate, you must complete all courses with a grade of C or better. All coursework must be completed within five years.
Each course is priced individually listed on the Interior Design program page. You pay the course fee at the time of enrollment. The certificate program has an estimated total cost of $24,660 (not including textbooks, course materials or registration fee). Course fees are subject to change.
We offer all required courses in the Live Online format. We also have an elective course available in the fixed-date online asynchronous format.
Live Online: These courses meet live via video conferencing on scheduled dates and time (Pacific Time.) This synchronous learning format offers classroom-style interactive learning with live demos, lectures and class participation via Zoom with course resources available on the online platform, Canvas.
Fixed-Date Online: This asynchronous format provides extra flexibility with content presented via pre-recorded videos and online interactions with your instructor and classmates on our online platform, Canvas.
The program can be completed in as little as 8 semesters with full-time study or in 11 semesters with part-time study.
Information sessions are scheduled periodically throughout the year. Please check our website for availability of upcoming sessions.
Courses are available in the spring, summer and fall semesters. Several of the beginning-level courses are available every term—all other courses are offered at least once per year.
Yes, you do not need to have any prior coursework in art or design to successfully complete this program.
A bachelor's degree (in any field) is required to register for the Certificate Program in Interior Design. Email the department at extension-interiordesign@berkeley.edu for more details.
To register online for the Certificate Program in Interior Design, complete these two steps:
No. The certificate curriculum comprises sequence of courses within three phases that progress from beginning to advanced level. This sequence allows you to build the needed knowledge and skills from one course to the next, and you are expected to fulfill any prerequisites before enrolling in a course. Please check with the program office to receive the Curriculum Sequence chart in order to assist with course planning.
If you are working full time and would like to study part time, we recommend that you enroll in two or three courses per term. For full-time study, expect to enroll in three to four courses per term.
There is no need to register for the certificate program if you wish to take an individual course that has no prerequisites. If you are interested in taking an individual course with one or more prerequisites, please contact the program office.
Courses are posted on our website approximately three months before the term begins. You will receive reminders via email if you sign up at “Get More Information” on this page.
Enroll through our website. Go to the course that you wish to register for, read the course description and section information, select the Add to Cart button, and then follow the on-screen instructions. You must pay for the course in full at the time you enroll.
For information on financial assistance, please visit the Financial Assistance webpage.
It may be possible to transfer credit if you have recently completed an equivalent course at another college or university. You will need to provide an academic transcript and course information for review by the program. Please see our substitution and transfer credit policies.