In JCCC’s Interior Design program, you learn how to professionally create functional and aesthetic beauty in residential and commercial interiors.
Not only does interior design focus on creating beautiful spaces, but it also promotes client health, safety and welfare where we live, work, eat, sleep and play. If you are looking for an Interior Design program in the Kansas City area, JCCC has a lot to offer you!
What will I learn in JCCC's Interior Design program?
JCCC’s Interior Design program is the only one in Kansas affiliated with the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA). Our program is unique because it has several paths you can take, depending on your career goals.
Our Interior Design program covers design topics such as textiles, floral design, space planning, residential and commercial design, manual and digital drafting, and sustainability practices. Whether you are launching a second career or just starting out, you will get a comprehensive education in:
- Design elements and principles
- Color design and theory
- Design furnishings, materials, finishes and equipment
- Construction methods, codes and specifications
- Lighting, acoustics and indoor air quality
- Interior design software applications
- Design presentation and communication techniques
By the time you complete your Interior Design degree or certificate at JCCC, you will have created a portfolio of studio projects that will increase your employment options.
Why JCCC's Interior Design program?
With JCCC’s Interior Design AAS degree, you will intern 160 hours and graduate ready to work in design. Our industry connections can help you identify an internship and get started on the career you desire. The degree also provides an educational foundation for the following exams:
- National Council of Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ)
- Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate
- Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer (CKBD)
- National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)
The Kitchen and Bath Design Certificate can launch your career in the in-demand kitchen and bath design industry through courses focused on this specialty. It also qualifies you to take the Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer (CKBD) exam.
Upon completing JCCC’s Interior Design Assistant Certificate, you can enter the world of interior design, pursue an associate degree at JCCC or transfer credits to a four-year university. We offer transfer agreements with well-known regional and national four-year institutions for a seamless transfer.
Our Interior Staging Certificate prepares you to stage residential and commercial interiors.
For educational and additional requirements for registration or certification as an interior designer, see JCCC’s professional licensure disclosures.
Resources and tools for Interior Design students at JCCC
JCCC’s experienced, award-winning professors maintain strong ties to the industry. Professional designers often are guest speakers in our classes, and interior design showrooms welcome our students for off-site learning experiences. Each spring, select students can redesign a room in the Symphony Designers’ Showhouse, a fundraiser for the Kansas City Symphony.
To delve deeper into interior design and network with seasoned professionals, you have the opportunity to join several national industry student organizations:
- Interior Design Student Association (IDSA)
- American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)
- International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
- National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA)
- National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI)
Looking to transfer to a four-year university after completing your AAS? We offer transfer agreements with several well-regarded regional and national four-year institutions and are adding more all the time. Talk with the Interior Design department chair to learn more.
We recommend that you meet with an Interior Design advisor before you plan your education path. Classes need to be taken in a specific order to ensure timely completion. JCCC students also have access to our Career Development Center and Academic Resource Center.
At JCCC, interior design is all about options. You can complete a certificate and join the workforce within a year or you can graduate with an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree to open even more doors. With three certificates and an AAS degree, JCCC can help you launch a career tailor-made to your aspirations.
Along your interior design journey at JCCC, discover how design processes, professional design documents and best business practices can prepare for your future as a:
- Residential or commercial interior designer
- Kitchen and bath designer
- Interior design project manager
- Interior design assistant
- Home stager, color consultant and/or finishes coordinator
- Sales designer or consultant for interior design showrooms or product lines
- Space planner for homes and commercial buildings
- CAD designer for interiors
Let professors at Johnson County Community College guide you into this multibillion-dollar industry. With an emphasis on projects that incorporate both the creative and technical, you'll complete the program with an impressive portfolio to showcase your work to potential employers.
The U.S. Department of Labor compiles statistics on Interior Design careers involving interior design. You'll find information specifically related to careers in Kansas, including salary information and job prospects
Download the Interior Design Program Outlook (PDF) for employment projections and salary information.
JCCC is dedicated to ensuring money does not stop a student from pursuing an education. For this reason, we have various initiatives to make the cost of receiving an education more affordable.
Scholarships are available to Interior Design students. Be sure to look for grants and loans, also. Our Financial Aid Office can help you apply for aid.
Here’s what we offer:
- Lower tuition
- Cav Guarantee Scholarship (for Johnson County high school graduates)
- Metro Rate(for Missouri residents in ZIP codes 640- and 641-)
- Kansas Promise Scholarship for Kansas residents
- Easy scholarship application
- Financial aid experts and Free FAFSA advice
Textbooks and supplies vary depending on your classes.
There are several things to consider when budgeting for college. Visit our Cost of Attendance page for detailed information.
JCCC offers financial aid, including scholarships specifically for Interior Design students:
- Janet Alhom Memorial Interior Design Scholarship
- Bill and June Bailey Interior Design Scholarship
- IDSA Design Merit Award
- Harris Polsky Interior Design Scholarship
- Jack Harris Interior Design Scholarship
- Kansas City Regional Association of REALTORS Scholarship
To learn more about individual scholarship criteria, including deadlines, requirements, GPA and enrollment status, click on the Search Scholarships blue bar on the scholarships information page.
In order to run the graphic-heavy software programs used in interior design (possible software: Revit, AutoCad, Chief Architect, 20/20, Sketch-up and Adobe suites), the following are minimum recommendations for a computer:
- Faster Processor (example: recommend i5 or higher)
- Higher working memory (example: recommend 16 GB RAM or higher)
- Powerful graphics card (varies depending on brand)
The Interior Design AAS degree at Johnson County Community College is an affiliated program of the National Kitchen & Bath Association.
