Essential Information
In New Jersey, students can pursue an undergraduate certificate, associate or bachelor's degree in interior design. Courses may cover studies in architectural history, building safety codes, sketching, computer-aided design, lighting, furniture, textiles and materials. In addition, programs include studio time, and some integrate internship or field experiences. Designers who desire certification in New Jersey will need to successfully complete the exam offered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). Read on to learn about the 4 New Jersey schools for interior design that are designated as public institutions.
Brookdale Community College
Lincroft-based Brookdale Community College has an interior design associate's degree program that may be completed in 4-6 semesters. Training in the major area includes instruction in architectural construction, interior design elements, drafting/graphic presentations, illustrative sketching, history of furniture/interiors, codes/standards, lighting, textiles/materials and interior design studios. General education courses and career studies electives are also required, with an optional internship. There's a student chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers, and Brookdale has an articulation agreement with Kean University for the transfer of up to 36 credits.
Kean University
Union's Kean University offers a bachelor's degree program in interior design approved by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). This program requires courses in furniture making, architectural history, design/visual culture, drawing, computer-aided design, safety codes and lighting design, in addition to 5 levels of interior design studios. Students can also choose a travel and learn course, field experiences or training in sustainable design.
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Located in Newark, this institute's School of Art and Design has a 4-year degree program that includes 6 semesters of design studio training. Students also complete courses in the history of furniture, color theory, contract documents, building/interior systems and building information modeling. Electives are chosen from areas such as media art, art/architectural history and digital media. Facilities at this school include digital media laboratories, fine art studios and computer-aided design laboratories.
Raritan Valley Community College
Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg makes a certificate and an associate's degree program available to train aspiring interior designers. Students in the 31-credit certificate program study color and materials, design drawing, history of furniture/interiors and visual concepts for interiors. An interior design studio is required during each of the 2 semesters, also.
The 63-credit associate's degree program may prepare students who wish to transfer to 4-year programs. Required courses include those from the certificate program, in addition to art history, a third design studio and a course in portfolio development. This program is also supplemented by seminars, workshops and field trips to galleries and museums in New York.
School Comparison: At a Glance
| School Name | School Type & Setting | Interior Design Training Offered | Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2018-2019) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookdale Community College | 2-year, public; rural fringe | Associate in Applied Science in Interior Design | $4,869 (in-district)* $7,963 (in-state)* $8,663 (out-of-state)* |
| Kean University | 4-year, public; large suburb | Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design | $12,348 (in-state)* $19,383 (out-of-state)* |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology | 4-year, public; large city | Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design | $17,338 (in-state)* $32,750 (out-of-state)* |
| Raritan Valley Community College | 2-year, public; rural | Certificate in Interior Design, Associate of Science in Interior Design | $4,612 (in-district)* $5,692 (in-state)* $5,692 (out-of-state)* |
Source: *NCES College Navigator
