FAQs
Professional Expectations
A Day in the Life of an Interior Designer
– – –
Yes, an academic degree is not required to become a licensed architect or a certified interior designer.
https://www.cidq.org/alternative-review-program
https://www.ncarb.org/ncarb-certificate/benefits/get-certified/education-alternative-2-times-axp
https://www.ncarb.org/get-licensed/licensing-requirements-tool
Yes, both the NCIDQ exams for interior design and the NCARB exams for architecture have paths for eligibility based on hours of work experience in lieu of an academic degree. Work experience accrued under PABD’s program provides up to half of the qualifying hours.
No, the Design Projects at each level incorporate all the requisite skills developed in the support courses; these comprehensive projects are then assessed by a panel of professionals and instructors to determine competency and readiness to participate in the fieldwork rotation and advance to the next level of the program.
Because a student’s body of work is evaluated after each level of the program by a panel of experienced design professionals, students can be assured that their skills and knowledge are aligned with what is expected in professional practice.
The advantage of the PABD program is that students work directly with design professionals and firms in the local community during their training. This gives students abundant opportunity to discover the different areas of design specialization to choose from, meet with potential employers, and network with practicing designers in the field. Through this exposure, students will have a much better chance of securing a job after completing the PABD program than if they had attended a university.
At present, no scholarships or outside funding are available. In order to mitigate the financial burden for students, we have implemented the following: 1) tuition fees are kept at a minimum by reducing unnecessary overhead and administrative expenses; 2) students may pay per individual course rather than having to pay for an entire full-time semester upfront; and 3) fieldwork phases—where students will be compensated—have been built into the curriculum.
But we understand that even our lower tuition cost may still be prohibitive for some. So to further reduce upfront expenses, we also offer a deferred payment plan where students pay only a nominal fee to begin the lower level courses. Once a student has been placed in their first paid Fieldwork assignment, a portion of their salary can then be applied to their tuition. In this way students need not pay out of pocket, and can start payment only once they are assured regular income. For more details about this option please contact us directly, and we would be happy to find the best financial path for you!
FAQs
Professional Expectations
A Day in the Life of an Interior Designer
– – –
Yes, an academic degree is not required to become a licensed architect or a certified interior designer.
https://www.cidq.org/alternative-review-program
https://www.ncarb.org/ncarb-certificate/benefits/get-certified/education-alternative-2-times-axp
https://www.ncarb.org/get-licensed/licensing-requirements-tool
Yes, both the NCIDQ exams for interior design and the NCARB exams for architecture have paths for eligibility based on hours of work experience in lieu of an academic degree. Work experience accrued under PABD’s program provides up to half of the qualifying hours.
No, the Design Projects at each level incorporate all the requisite skills developed in the support courses; these comprehensive projects are then assessed by a panel of professionals and instructors to determine competency and readiness to participate in the fieldwork rotation and advance to the next level of the program.
Because a student’s body of work is evaluated after each level of the program by a panel of experienced design professionals, students can be assured that their skills and knowledge are aligned with what is expected in professional practice.
The advantage of the PABD program is that students work directly with design professionals and firms in the local community during their training. This gives students abundant opportunity to discover the different areas of design specialization to choose from, meet with potential employers, and network with practicing designers in the field. Through this exposure, students will have a much better chance of securing a job after completing the PABD program than if they had attended a university.
At present, no scholarships or outside funding are available. In order to mitigate the financial burden for students, we have implemented the following: 1) tuition fees are kept at a minimum by reducing unnecessary overhead and administrative expenses; 2) students may pay per individual course rather than having to pay for an entire full-time semester upfront; and 3) fieldwork phases—where students will be compensated—have been built into the curriculum.
But we understand that even our lower tuition cost may still be prohibitive for some. So to further reduce upfront expenses, we also offer a deferred payment plan where students pay only a nominal fee to begin the lower level courses. Once a student has been placed in their first paid Fieldwork assignment, a portion of their salary can then be applied to their tuition. In this way students need not pay out of pocket, and can start payment only once they are assured regular income. For more details about this option please contact us directly, and we would be happy to find the best financial path for you!