Interior Design
Learn how to design functional and aesthetically pleasing interior spaces through our comprehensive interior design program. The program provides training both for those interested in starting a career and for professional interior designers seeking to enhance their skills.
Courses cover fundamental design, drawing, color, space planning, and historical topics; fabrics, lighting, window, wall, and floor treatments; and professional business practices for interior designers. You'll also learn about architectural drafting; preparation of estimates; design analysis; kitchen, bath, structural, mechanical, and electrical systems; and advanced presentation techniques for interior designers.
This program prepares students for entry-level positions in interior design and related professions, or for portfolio preparation for transfer to four-year institutions. It is not necessary to chose a degree or certificate before entering the program as all the degrees and certificates begin with the same three courses: Interior Design I, Design Principles, and Technical Drawing and Drafting. These first three courses have no prerequisites and may be taken in any order - one at a time or up to all three together.
The Montgomery College Interior Design Program is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASADnew window).
Interior Design Degrees and Certificates
Learn more about program outcomes, required courses, transfer opportunities, and career information.
Students seeking the AAS degree may select one of two tracks: (1) the general track, which allows students to select electives; or (2) the kitchen and bath design track. As an NKBA-affiliatednew window school, students who complete this degree are uniquely qualified for the NKBA certification examinations and employment in the kitchen and bath industry.
- Interior Design AAS Degree, General Area of Concentration
- Interior Design Preprofessional AAS Degree, Kitchen and Bath Design Area of Concentration
- Interior Design Certificate
- Introductory Interior Design Certificate [SUSPENDED]
- Advanced Interior Design Certificate [SUSPENDED]
Transfer Information
Students planning to transfer to a four-year institution in this major should talk to the Program Coordinator or Department Chair. Our Program has transfer relationships with the Marymount University Interior Design Programnew window, the Morgan State University Interior Design Programnew window and the George Washington University Interior Architecture Programnew window. Students may also follow the general studies AA degreenew window. Students who choose the general studies AA degree should visit the transfer school’s site to see the recommended freshman and sophomore course sequence for this major. Check requirements at each school and work with a counselor or advisor to carefully to avoid duplication – for example, at some schools, some MC courses are considered “upper-level” and the MC course may not fulfill an upper-level requirement. If undecided, choose common courses from several schools. See all transfer agreements.
Resources
In July of 2004, interior design Professor Bhramara Heid passed away and left a bequest to the College to fund a scholarship for interior design students in our program. Professor Heid taught at Montgomery College for many years and was a mentor to many program students. In May of 2007, one of her students, Ann Stillwell succumbed to a long illness. She left another bequest and asked that her scholarship be combined with Professor Heid's. We thank them and their families for their continued help for our students.
Heid/Stillwell Scholarship Criteria: Interior design major, demonstrate financial need, completed 12 credits, 3.00 GPA or higher, U.S. Citizen.
Scholarship applications will be reviewed by the Interior Design Committee. The selected scholarship recipient is required to contact the Program Coordinator of the Interior Design Program in order to review a memory book before writing a thank you letter to the Heid and Stillwell family members.
Students interested in applying for the Bhramara Heid & Ann Stillwell Interior Design Scholarship & Award Fund should complete a Montgomery College Foundation Scholarship Application - deadline June 12. The application can be downloadednew window. Students should complete the application and write at the top of the application "Heid-Stillwell" in order to be considered for this scholarship. Visiting the Financial Aid site will also provide important information about filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Cyrus Scholarship Grantnew window
National Kitchen & Bath Association:
- Scholarships
- Design Competitionnew window
- Design Contest
International Furnishings and Design Associationnew window
International Interior Design Association Student Design Competitionnew window
NEWH The Hospitality Industry Networknew window
International Facilities Management Associationnew window
PAVE The Planning and Visual Education Partnership
Vectorworks Competitionnew window
Bienenstock Furniture Librarynew window
Durkan Carpets Student Design Competition
Gensler Brinkman Scholarship Competitionnew window
Next Steelcase Student Design Competitionnew window
Sub-Zero Wolf Kitchen Design Competitionnew window
Magazine Competitions
Contract Magazine Annual Awards and Competitions
Hospitality Design Magazine Annual Awardsnew window
The AA and AAS degrees prepare students for transfer to 4-year institutions or for entry-level employment in interior design. Some of the organizations listed below are biased toward four-year educational programs and licensing. Students with two-year degrees are unable to be licensed in the Washington area, but are able to work under licensed practitioners for both commercial and residential work or they may work on their own as residential designers in Virginia and Maryland. Please see the following links for more information on the profession.
International Furnishings and Design Associationnew window (IFDA)
National Kitchen and Bath Associationnew window (NKBA)
The Hospitality Industry Networknew window (NEWH)
International Interior Design Associationnew window (IIDA)
American Society of Interior Designersnew window (ASID)
Council for Interior Design Accreditationnew window (CIDA)
Council for Interior Design Qualificationnew window (CIDQ)
It is not necessary to chose a degree or certificate before entering the program as all the degrees and certificates begin with the same three courses. These first three courses have no prerequisites and may be taken in any order - one at a time or up to all three together.
- IDES 101 Interior Design I
- IDES 107 Design Principles
- IDES 110 Technical Drawing and Drafting
Related Programs and Courses
General Studies Degree
Students who major in general studies explore personal, professional, and academic areas of interest within a flexible framework supporting transfer.
Workforce Development and Continuing Education
MC offers a wide variety of noncredit classes. These courses are designed to help you upgrade your skills, pursue career training, or learn something new.
