Program -

PROGRAM
Professional Online Courses

Comprehensive and in-depth lessons that meet professional standards.

INNOVATIVE CURRICULUM REDEFINES DESIGN EDUCATION

Learn through a project-based, interdisciplinary education in interior design, architecture, and construction, preparing students for real-world challenges and allowing easy transitions between disciplines.

Instead of the standard collegiate curricula that require an extensive list of courses taken outside the major (often having no connection to each other), the PABD curriculum is project-based, centered around solving real-life design problems where students can immediately apply the skills they are learning in their coursework.

And because interior design, architecture, and construction courses are integrated in the curriculum, the PABD program also allows for students to take courses outside of their specific disciplinary track, based on their interest. (For example, an architect may opt to take a course on lighting, or an interior designer can take a course in millwork fabrication.) Since many of the courses are shared between the three fields, it is also very easy for students to change disciplinary tracks if they wish, without having to start the program from the beginning.

The PABD curriculum for both Interior Design and Architecture consists of a Foundation package to establish basic skills in design, four Levels of project-based study, and a Capstone package that prepares the student to embark on professional practice.

THEMATIC LEARNING AT EVERY LEVEL

Creative, technical, humanistic, and professional focuses integrated in courses.

The PABD curriculum has a different thematic emphasis embedded in its courses at each of the four levels (unlike most conventional academic programs which have separate liberal arts course requirements). The creative focus (Level I) integrates artistic and visual expression, the technical focus (level II) integrates quantitative skills and reasoning, the humanistic focus (Level III) integrates psychological and social perspectives, and the professional focus (Level IV) integrates business thinking and practices.

Each level consists of a comprehensive Design Project (focusing on a different building typology), project-related Support Courses (for students to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to execute the project), and a Fieldwork component (where they can apply in a real-life setting what they have just learned).

Each successive level is built on a progressive layering of previous knowledge and skill sets that are utilized simultaneously. The Design Project is the culmination of everything that the student has learned at each level.

Once students have demonstrated the technical proficiency necessary for application in professional practice, they then engage in level-appropriate Fieldwork–collaborating with design professionals and other students on actual projects in real time. Upon completing their Fieldwork component, students are then ready to move to the next level.

Fieldwork assignments will be monetarily compensated, as well as count towards qualification for professional credentialing exams.

FOUNDATION

CAPSTONE

Professional Certificates at Every Level

PABD offers industry-standard certificates that prepare you for top professional credentials, elevating your career with every course and project completed.

Certificates are offered for individual courses, for specialized tracks, for completion of design projects at each level of the curriculum, and for completion of the entire curriculum (Foundation, Levels I-IV, Capstone). Diplomas are awarded for program completion and Project certificates are awarded after each Level. Course certificates and specialized Track certificates are offered upon request; students must pass a comprehensive exam in order to receive certification.

Because the PABD curriculum is taught by practicing professionals with teaching experience, our diplomas and certificates meet or exceed industry standards and are designed to prepare students for professional exams and other nationally recognized credentials, such as AutoCAD, Revit, LEED, CAPS, and more.

Program Diplomas:

Interior Design
Architecture

Project Certificates:

Level I (small residential project)
Level II (small commercial project)
Level III (large residential project)
Level IV (large commercial project)

Track Certificates:

Digital Technologies
(Revit | AutoCAD | SketchUp)
Interior Finishes
(Color, Materials, Finishes, Textiles)
Construction Documentation
Professional Bootcamp

Course Certificates:

Revit Software
AutoCAD Software
SketchUp Software
Color Theory
Textiles
Materials & Finishes
Lighting
Sustainable Design
Universal Design
Kitchen & Bath Design

SCHOLARSHIPS

The PABD Hoʻoūlu Scholarship is awarded annually to a promising and passionate student to help them pursue their professional studies in either Architecture or Interior Design.

AWARD:

The scholarship covers the cost of enrollment for both the Foundation curriculum and the Level I curriculum in either Architecture or Interior Design, valued at $10,450 (ID) or $11,550 (Arch).

Foundation courses: Design Methods, Visual Communication, and Drawing Literacy
Level I — Interior Design courses: Programming, Space Planning, Color, Textiles, AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Design Project
Level I — Architecture courses: Programming, Space Planning, Structure, Site Planning, AutoCAD, SketchUp, and Design Project
Weekly opportunities to connect with instructors, professional mentors and industry experts for guidance

ELIGIBILITY:

You must be at least 18 years old and a resident of Hawaii to apply. Transcripts, college entrance exams, or letters of recommendation are not required.

HOW TO APPLY:

Write an essay describing how you see architecture or interior design shaping communities and improving lives in the future. Discuss a specific project that reflects your design philosophy. You are encouraged to use or create your own illustrations to convey your ideas. Your essay should not exceed 1000 words and you may include up to three (3) images. We want to hear your unique thoughts and ideas, so please note that essays must be written entirely by the applicant without the use of AI tools.
Fill out the application form by clicking on the link below and submit the completed form with your essay attached in PDF format. For any questions, send us an email: info@pabd.us

TIMELINE:

Call for entries announced March 3, 2025
Application period is from March 3 – April 30, 2025
Submissions are due by April 30, 2025 at 11:59pm
Final candidates will be selected for zoom interview by May 15, 2025
The winning recipient will be notified May 30, 2025

Disclaimer: Applicants must be legal residents of the State of Hawaiʻi and be at least 18 years old by the day of the scholarship is awarded. The scholarship winner must start the program within six months of the award date and complete their scholarship program within one full year from their start date, or the remainder of the award will be forfeited. Should the winner not accept the scholarship, the scholarship will go to the applicant in second place. The judges panel is made up of PABD Board members. Judges’ decisions are impartial and final. PABD employees and immediate family members are not eligible to apply for the PABD Hoʻoūlu Scholarship. By applying for the scholarship, applicants agree to release PABD and all organizations and individuals involved from any and all liability for any wrong, actual or perceived, suffering by their involvement in the scholarship program. In addition, PABD may use your name, photograph, video, voice, and application materials (except personal contact information) for marketing and/or any other lawful purpose with no additional permission or compensation of any kind.

STATE OF THE ART TECHNOLOGY

Leverage the power of cutting-edge technology. Our extensive suite of software and hardware tools puts the latest industry advancements at your fingertips.

SOFTWARE: Below is a list of software packages that are required for the program:

Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Adobe Suite $35/mo PhotoShop, $35/mo InDesign
AutoDesk Suite: AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit
Enscape (animations and VR)
AutoCAD LT $65/mo
Revit LT $85/mo CAD+Revit
SketchUp free
PABD remote access (complete software suite)

For those who are unable to obtain either the high-performance laptop and/or the required software for their personal devices, we are offering a remote access option, where students can sign up for time slots to link to our in-house desktop computers and run the programs on their laptop remotely. Time slots are limited and available on a first-come-first-served basis.

HARDWARE: All students enrolled in either the full curriculum or in the Computer Software/ Digital Technologies tracks should have a computer that meets the minimum performance standards. Below find the recommended specifications for a basic laptop (can be used for all digital courses except Enscape video animation):

Manufacturer & Model: Dell Alienware
CPU Processor: Intel Core i7-6700K @ 4.00GHz
GPU Video Card: NVIDIA GTX 1060 with 6 GB memory
RAM Memory: 32 GB (size), DDR4 (type), > 3200 MHz (speed)
HDD Hard Drive: SSD Solid State Drive (type), 512 GB (capacity)
Screen resolution: Minimum 1920 x 1080 pixels
Operating System: Windows 10 x64

Students are free to order a different manufacturer and model; however, please note that laptop components that do not match the exact requirements listed above should be equivalent or better. If the recommended model is out of your price range, then we can suggest an economical alternative that can be used for all digital courses except Enscape. For those who are unable to obtain either the high-performance laptop and/or the required software for their personal devices, we are offering a remote access option, where students can sign up for time slots to link to our in-house desktop computers and run the programs on their laptop remotely. Time slots are limited and available on a first-come-first-served basis.