Interior Designers are creative business professionals with the ability to innovatively solve complex design problems both functionally and aesthetically, while enhancing the overall health, safety, and welfare of users through quality design. We view space as our 3-dimensional art that has the ability to create an emotional response, and we shape what that response is through our designs. Our program empowers students to make a lasting impact on their current and future communities by equipping them with education, experience and skillsets necessary to communicate visually and verbally using creative and technical proficiency, and ethical responsibility. We prepare our students professionally, personally, and academically to quite literally change the world.
Our program prepares students to excel in various sectors of the industry, including residential design, commercial design, sustainable design, home construction, and other areas of specialization. It is fundamentally important to us that our students can communicate in 2 different ways: what clients need to see, and what contractors and sub-contractors need to see. Our comprehensive curriculum is designed to provide students with methods of communicating in both of those ways and also meets the evolving needs of the field. We put a high emphasis on fostering professional and personal growth, equipping students with the confidence to practice Interior Design and Interior Architecture.
Graduates of the Interior Design and Interior Architecture program will be able to:
Studying Interior Design and Interior Architecture can lead to a wide range of career opportunities, including the following:
Kirkwood is the affordable option. We have more than $3 million in scholarships available every year!
Our program follows CIDA (Council for Interior Design Accreditation) standards, ensuring a curriculum aligned with professional and industry expectations. Our students have the opportunity to earn their LEED Green Associate credential and, if interested in healthcare design, an Evidence-Based Design Accreditation and Certification credential. Students also meet educational requirements necessary to take the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) exam.
We teach students to enhance lives through creative, functional design. We emphasize a form-follows-function philosophy which ensures that all spaces we design are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Our curriculum teaches the prioritization of health, safety, and welfare for all users, fostering a deep understanding of human-centered design principles.
By incorporating Interior Architecture in its coursework, Kirkwood has the state’s only two-year Interior Design program of its kind. This curriculum covers advanced spatial design concepts and technical detailing, providing students with a competitive edge in the industry. Our students graduate with:
Students delve into diverse areas such as Residential Design, Commercial Design, Hospitality Design, Product Design, Sustainable Design, Historical Design, and advanced software like Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, Chief Architect, AutoCad, Revit, and various rendering platforms to bring visual ideas to life. Our courses are continuously updated to reflect the latest trends and technologies in the industry, and build upon staples like rendering by hand and effectively communicating verbally and visually.
We emphasize experiential learning through a blend of classroom projects, hands-on training, and interactive instruction. This approach ensures students develop practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge. From studying historical architecture in Italy, to learning about cultural design in Africa, or visiting trade shows and expos in High Point or Las Vegas, our students are given the autonomy to select from a variety of experiences which enhance their learning beyond the classroom. Students are given real-life scenarios, real-life deadlines, and are taught about studio life of Interior Designers and Interior Architects.
Students have opportunities to attend field trips to major urban centers such as Chicago, Minneapolis, and Kansas City, enhancing their understanding of diverse design environments. We also offer national and international Study Abroad trips, broadening students' perspectives and inspiring their creativity. We are the leading college in our state for providing International Experiences for our students, and given that many of our students go on to have projects around the country and world, we love providing as much experience to our students as possible to understand people, cultures, and design around us.
Our program offers unparalleled access to industry professionals through guest lectures, presentations, tours, workshops, and networking events. These connections help students build a robust professional network that can lead to job opportunities and mentorships. We place a high value on networking and building networks as students, so that professional networks are already developed when entering the fields of Interior Design and Interior Architecture.
Investing in your education at Kirkwood makes financial sense. Our program costs roughly $20,000, offering substantial savings compared to similar degrees with similar courses that can cost nearly $100,000. This allows you to receive a top-tier education without the burden of excessive student debt, and start out following graduation with less of a debt-burden, allowing you to more responsibly navigate life from a better starting point.
We provide robust career support built into our program courses, including resume building, interview preparation, and job placement assistance, portfolio development, and a final Portfolio Exhibit where our industry partners, families, and friends celebrate student success. Our strong relationships with industry partners help our graduates secure positions in top design firms and organizations in our state, nation, and even around the world. Our employment rate has been 100% for those pursuing employment following graduation, with an active employer waitlist that our students have access to.
Students have access to cutting-edge facilities, including design studios equipped with the latest technology, software, and printing opportunities. Our resources ensure students have the tools available to them to bring their creative visions to life. We provide students with the largest student resource room in our state, which is packed full of FFE samples, literature, props for vignettes, and copy and assembly items. Our space is a professional quality resource room and is even used by varying Architecture and Design individuals. We also provide work rooms for project assembly, using tools, and projects which are a bit more messy in nature. All of our spaces are secure entry exclusive for our students.
School Year: 2024–25
Program Entry Semester: Fall
| Fall | Spring | Summer | Fall | Spring | Summer | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Hours per Semester | 18 | 16 | 9 | 14 | 17 | 3 | 77 |
| In-State Tuition | $3,906 | $3,472 | $1,953 | $3,038 | $3,689 | $651 | $16,709 |
| Technology Fee per Semester | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 | $300 |
| Clinical Expenses (mileage, lodging, screenings, etc.) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Conferences/Seminars | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Course Resources (textbooks, software, etc.) | $865 | $1,335 | $420 | $1,115 | $1,930 | $85 | $5,750 |
| Course/Section Fees | $500 | $325 | $0 | $80 | $80 | $0 | $985 |
| Laptop (required devices) | $3,900 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $3,900 |
| Testing Fees | $200 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $200 |
| Third Party Credentials | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Tool Sets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Uniforms | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $9,421 | $5,182 | $2,423 | $4,283 | $5,749 | $786 | $27,844 |
Required design kits and onsite printing for class projects are included in program costs.
Costs provided are estimated and based on the following current tuition rates: $217 (In-State), $290 (Out-of-State), $400 (International).
Fees and costs are subject to change. To view all costs associated with attending college visit our Tuition and Costs page.
For the latest news, updates, and insights into our program, be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook. Our social media pages are a vibrant community where you can see student projects, get tips and inspiration, and stay informed about upcoming events and opportunities. Whether you're a prospective student, current student, or alumni, our social media channels are the perfect way to stay connected and engaged with everything happening in our program.
Jillissa Moorman
Interior Design and Interior Architecture Program Coordinator & Associate Professor
319-398-4917
Design and practice like a professional as you build a portfolio and resume you can use when applying for internships and careers.
Look forward to gaining insight into a wide range of design markets and trends, including:
When you enroll at Kirkwood, you’ll receive the foundation for the technical and theoretical knowledge to enter the design industry upon graduation. Classes cover a wide range of design aspects and provide training on common industry software. You’ll take classes like:
Kirkwood interior design graduates put their creative mark to work in an endless variety of fun and exciting environments. Most of our students already have a job or internship in place immediately after graduating. Some of these amazing experiences include:
Field trips to major market cities and study abroad opportunities provide networking and industry exposure, as well as cultural design and architecture experiences. Kirkwood students have studied in Italy, Australia, and Africa, and visited design and architecture firms in Chicago, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, and New York City.
Earn a Design Introductions - Certificate after 1 term.
Students graduate with professional LEED Green Associate credential.
Meet educational requirements to take the NCIDQ exam.
Becoming a part of Kirkwood Student Interior Designers allows you to learn about job openings quickly. You can also connect with professional design organizations and network with other professionals. Contact program advisor Jillissa Moorman at: 319-398-4917 to learn more.
Students in Kirkwood's Interior Design and Interior Architecture program, as well as those pursuing the Design Introductions Certificate, are encouraged to join the Kirkwood chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Business Professionals of America (BPA) and/or Future Business Leaders of America, INC. (FBLA).
FCCLA is the only national Career and Technical Student Organization with the family as its central focus, while FBLA is the largest business Career and Technical Student Organization in the world, helping more than 230,000 members prepare for careers in business each year. With 45,000 members in more than 1,800 chapters across 25 states and Puerto Rico, as well as an international presence in China, Haiti and Peru, BPA has the ability to enhance student participation in professional, civic, service and social endeavors.
FCCLA, BPA, and FBLA are three of eight recognized members of the National Coordinating Council for Career and Technical Student Organizations (NCC-CTSO). CTSOs are co-curricular groups that help students in career and technical education programs further their knowledge and skills by participating in activities, events, and competitions.
Kirkwood’s interior design program is the only 2-year interior design degree program in Iowa. We're a recognized campus center for the International Interior Design Association.
The mission of the Interior Design and Interior Architecture program at Kirkwood Community College is to prepare and equip students to practice and serve the community with respect to interior design in the areas of residential, commercial, sustainable, or another closely related area of specialization.
This is achieved by providing a respectful, student-centered approach and equipping students with a high-quality learning environment and experience that emphasizes ethical, technical, creative, and responsible problem-solving through design.
To ensure your success in the Interior Design and Interior Architecture program at Kirkwood, please complete the following:
There are a limited number of spots in the program each year. Once the spots are full, you'll be added to the waitlist for the following fall semester.