Program Description
This unique program, the first in Western Canada, offers you a university-level certificate in the art of interior decorating.
Using principles of the related fields of visual arts, architecture, and business, our instructors effectively combine design theory and practice to ensure that students gain the experience and skills needed in the ever-changing field of residential decorating.
Your Program
9 Courses | Online & Flexible | Certificate in as Little as 2 Years
Through these courses, you will:
- Develop an awareness of the art, pragmatics, and aesthetics of housing and furnishings.
- Practice interview strategies to quickly identify and interpret clients’ needs; understand basic business principles and issues.
- Improve your drawing, drafting, and presentation skills; learn the fundamentals of wood frame construction.
- Many of our graduates have established their own businesses; others have been employed in roles such as interior decorating consultant, manufacturer’s representative, and retail consultant.
- Qualify to join the Decorators & Designers Association of Canada (DDA) and the Decorating and Interior Design Association of Alberta (DIDAA)
Who it's good for
- Our student body is diverse, from recent high-school graduates to individuals seeking a career change. Some characteristics common to our students are a keen interest in fashion and home décor, good spatial perception, and the ability to work well with all types of people.
Testimonials
- “The office was flexible and helpful when I needed an accommodation to fast-track the program. I also liked that we always had plenty of time to complete assignments. The teachers were very nice.”
- Recognized as an excellent career-entry program by the Decorators & Designers Association of Canada (DDA) and industry professionals, the Residential Interiors Certificate program is a comprehensive study of residential interior fundamentals and applications.
What you'll get out of it
Upon completion of all program requirements, you will receive the Residential Interiors Certificate.
Cost
- The approximate cost of this Certificate is $6,355 CAD
- Course Fees are typically $695.00 CAD
- Pay as you go - students pay on a course-by-course basis as they register. You do not need to pay the entire program fee at once
- An application fee of $100 CAD is required for admission into the program
- Courses are GST-exempt
- Some courses may require additional resources such as textbooks. This information can be found in the course section details
Program Details
- This program consists of six core courses and three electives. Each course is 39 hours in length, for a total of 351 instructional hours.
- This program is designed for part-time study and can generally be completed within two years.
- Students have the flexibility to schedule courses around their availability.
- It is recommended to complete EXRI 4676 Introduction to Residential Interior Design first. Please note that some courses have prerequisites and the order in which you complete the courses will impact program length.
- Courses are graded with assessments. This might include quizzes, exams, discussion forums, papers, and presentations.
- Courses are typically offered online synchronously. Please check the course section for details. Further details on delivery formats can be found here.
- Course materials are shared in Eclass. Some courses may require additional resources, such as textbooks. This information can be found in the course section details.
Your Instructors
- Our instructors are not just educators; they are industry experts, adult learning specialists, and professionals deeply connected to the pulse of their respective fields.
How to Apply
- We are open to students with a variety of educational and professional backgrounds. Our expectation is that you have a commitment to learn and achieve your continuing education goals. It is recommended students have prior knowledge and/or work experience in the related field.
- To apply, download the Application for Program Admission
- The admission fee is $100
- Individual courses are open for general studies and may be completed without being admitted into a program
- Programs change occasionally, so we recommend applying for admission early. Once admitted, your requirements to complete the program are locked in. You can be confident that completed and eligible courses will continue to apply to your program.
Explore Funding and Scholarship Opportunities
Receiving your certificate
- Students can verify their program requirements and progress by logging into the University of Alberta’s student portal, Bear Tracks, to view your Academic Advisement
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 is required to graduate
- To qualify for program completion, you must submit a request to obtain your credential
- For a breakdown of details and how to qualify, visit the program completion page
- Upon completing this credential, you are eligible to become a UAlberta Associate Alumni
Transferability and Professional Designations
- The Residential Interiors courses are on the Approved Program Electives (APE) list for any Human Ecology student with a major in Clothing Textiles and Material Culture (CTMC): see BSc Human Ecology — Clothing, Textiles and Material Culture Approved Program Electives (APE), ?“Interiors” listing of transfer courses.
- The completion of this certificate qualifies students to join the Decorators & Designers Association of Canada (DDA) and the Decorating and Interior Design Association of Alberta (DIDAA)
- To learn about transferability from other institutions, see our Transfer Credit information
International Students
- International Students are welcome to enroll in our courses, with the only requirement being a stable internet connection. There are no differential course fees for international students completing courses in this program
- Students are responsible for ensuring that they are proficient in English so that they can fully participate in classes
- Please note that non-credit programming does not qualify for a study permit, therefore this program cannot be used for immigration to Canada. Foreign nationals authorized to work in Canada who are prohibited from engaging in studies as a condition of their work permit are allowed to engage in distance learning courses. For more information please contact University of Alberta International Student Services
Support Services
- Student Services and Policies
- Program Admission
- Withdrawals, Refunds + Transfers, Assessment + Grading
- Student Service Centre - for payment and registration inquiries
- Program Office - for course/program inquiries
- eClass support
- IT assistance
- Learning remotely
Contact us
If you have any questions, email us at ridesign@ualberta.ca