Discover the art of creating inspiring spaces—learn practical skills to help you develop, design, and bring interior projects of any scale to life.
Program Start: Fall or Spring 2025
How to Enroll: Register online
Program Length: 8 months (part-time)
Location: 100% Online via Zoom, evenings
Cost: $4,600
The Interior Design Certificate takes a hands-on, practical approach to developing essential interior design skills. Through studio courses, students explore how design elements interact with functional and structural frameworks. Each course is a “learn through doing” workshop guiding students through the design process.
Program Focus
The curriculum introduces sustainability, technical knowledge, business practices, and contemporary thinking in interior design. Students learn to work collaboratively, build a portfolio, and gain the skills and critical thinking to launch their interior design career. The program equips students with the foundational knowledge to create effective designs.
The certificate program consists of eight required courses, each seven weeks long and fully online. While Interior Design One, and Design Studio Two and Three must be taken in a sequence, the other courses can be taken in any order.
- Interior Design One, Introduction to Design
- Design Studio Two
- History of Interior Design
- Professions Practice for Interior Designers
- Design Studio Three
- Interior Construction Documents
- Lighting Lab
- Customer Fabrication Studio
Students who complete the Interior Design Certificate program should be well-prepared for the next step in their career, and able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes.
- Design Proficiency: Develop proficiency in fundamental interior design principles, including spatial planning, aesthetic considerations, and functional requirements necessary for designing diverse interior spaces.
- Practical Application: Apply theoretical knowledge to real-world design projects, integrating design tools and techniques effectively to create innovative and functional interior solutions.
- Portfolio Development: Build a strong portfolio showcasing a range of design projects, demonstrating competency in design presentation, documentation, and project management skills.
- Sustainability Integration: Understand and apply principles of sustainability and environmental stewardship in interior design practice, ensuring designs are environmentally responsible and energy-efficient.
- Historical and Cultural Context: Gain insights into the historical evolution of interior design, exploring influential designers and design movements, and apply this knowledge to contemporary design challenges.
- Technical Competence: Acquire technical skills in interpreting construction documents, specifying materials, and understanding building codes and regulations essential for interior design projects.
- Professional Preparation: Develop foundational knowledge of professional practices, including business models, legal considerations, project management, and client communication, preparing for entry-level roles in interior design.
- Specialized Expertise: Specialize in areas such as lighting design and custom fabrication, gaining experience and proficiency in these specialized aspects of interior design.
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Cultivate critical thinking skills to analyze design briefs, identify client needs, and propose creative solutions that meet both aesthetic and functional requirements.
- Collaboration and Communication: Enhance communication skills through effective presentation techniques, client interaction, and collaboration with industry professionals, fostering a collaborative approach to interior design projects.
Program Costs and Enrollment
Application: No application required
Individual class cost: $575
Total program cost: $4,600
Books and supplies: $50 per course (estimate)
Choose “Workshop and Enroll in Certificate Program” on any Interior Design class page to both register for the class and join the certificate program.
Interior Design Certificate Info Session
- Tuesday, December 3, 2024 / 6:00pm to 7:00pm
MassArt is launching a new Interior Design Certificate this Spring! The program is completely online, and can be completed in just 8 months. Join us December 3rd, 6-7pm EST, to learn about our new Interior Design Certificate Pogram! Listen to a short presentation, meet faculty, and ask any questions you may have. The Interior Design Certificate takes a hands-on, practical approach to…
- public
Applications are not required for admission. Simply choose “Workshop and Enroll in Certificate Program” on any Interior Design class page to both register for the class and join the certificate program.
This will vary per course however each course is designed to have some time in class for students to work and get feedback. For studio courses, expect about three-five hours of homework per week.
The entire certificate program is designed to keep student costs down therefore no book or software purchases are required. The cost of materials is determined per course however since most of the work is digital, hand-drawn or assembled, material costs should not exceed $50 per course.
No software is required, however it would be helpful if students had some knowledge of Adobe, AutoCad, Sketchup, Procreate, Morpholio, or similar apps. Upon registering for the course, students gain access to MassArt’s Adobe license for the duration of the course.
This program does not satisfy NCIDQ or ASID licensure eligibility requirements. With a clear understanding of the field as well as an introduction to the design process, the certificate gives students the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about their goals as designers.
- First Time Undergraduates
- Transfer Students
- Re-admission Candidates
- International Students
- Graduate Students
- Certificate Students
- Resources for Veterans
- Admissions Policies
- Meet the Admissions Team
- Admissions Events
- Resources for Teachers & Counselors
- Accepted Students
- FAQs
- Schedule Your Visit
- Request Information