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I have some questions about the interior design program. Who can help me?

Please plan on attending one of our weekly Advising/Orientation Workshops. These informative sessions, conducted by program faculty, will address many of your questions about the Interior Design curriculum, the Interior Design field in general, and how to get started in the Interior Design program. You will also be able to tour our facility and view student work.

The day and time of the orientation varies from quarter to quarter, so please call 425-564-2341 to get current information about when the workshop is being held. The location of the workshop is L113.

Do I need to formally apply to be admitted to the Interior Design program?

No, not initially. When you complete the application for BCC, you should indicate Interior Design as your Major field of study, and the college will classify you as a "Pre-Interior Design" major. During the quarter that you are enrolled in INDES 170, you will complete a brief Interior Design Department Application. When your application has been reviewed and accepted, you will be an "Interior Design" major.

I'm interested in design, but I'm afraid that I'm not creative or talented enough. Is that going to prevent me from becoming a good designer?

You are not "born" an interior designer. Talent is important, but equally important is the way you develop and nurture the creative talents that you possess. Enthusiasm, open-mindedness, persistence, and commitment to the sometimes difficult task of learning new things, are critical elements for success. You can learn the elements and principles of design, and their applications to interiors.

I have an undergraduate degree from a four-year university (or an associate's transfer degree). Which of these credits will transfer?

Almost all of the required courses in our Interior Design curriculum are in either art or interior design. If you have taken any art or interior design courses that are comparable to ours, those credits will transfer. With either a bachelor's degree or an associate's transfer degree, your general education courses will satisfy at least 35 of the 45 liberal arts/general education credits (international degrees require a separate accreditation review in order to meet this transfer requirement.) Ten of the liberal arts/general education credits are specific to Art History. Obtain an Advising Checklist from your Interior Design advisor, who will use it, along with your university transcript, to identify and document approved transfer courses. These transfers must be approved by the Interior Design Department Chair, or the Curriculum Advisor.

I attended another interior design school for a while and want to transfer to BCC's Interior Design Program. Will any credits from that school transfer?

While it will not be possible to match every one of their courses to ours, if the courses you took are similar and you can demonstrate proficiency, you will receive credit. You will be required to present a portfolio of your work, along with your academic transcript for review and evaluation.

I have been recently divorced, and I am having some difficult personal problems. What services does the college provide?

The Human Development Center offers personal and career counseling, as well as other services. The Women's Center provides additional support. See the "Student Services" section of the current BCC Course Catalog for a complete listing of services provided.

Can I work part-time and still take interior design courses

Yes, many of our students work. You will need a job with some flexibility, since classes are offered at all times during the day and your schedule is likely to be different each quarter. One word of caution: don't try to work full-time and take a heavy class load. Every course is demanding, and you need to allow time outside of class to complete assignments. Try to combine lecture classes with just one studio class each quarter, since studio classes are particularly time-consuming. Don't expect to rush through this program, especially if you also have family responsibilities.

I have to work full-time during the day, and I am eager to begin taking courses in the Interior Design Program. Is it possible for me to earn an interior design degree entirely at night?

Yes and No. We do offer most required courses in the evening, because at BCC courses must be offered across our normal scheduling band that extends throughout the day until 10:00pm. But we don't have discrete "day" or "night" programs as such. Students who want to take night courses usually find that they can start the program and go part-time for many quarters without needing to take a day class. Students who take mostly day classes will probably have to take some evening classes.

Is BCC's Interior Design program accredited?

Every degree granted by Bellevue Community College is accredited by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. This program is also accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (formly FIDER), which offers a separate and additional accreditation for interior design programs. A six-year accreditation was granted in July, 2006, with the next review scheduled for 2012. Our curriculum is designed to incorporate the Common Body of Knowledge of Interior Design, as outlined by the Council, and our program articulates with the Council-accredited program at WSU.

Can I begin my design education at BCC and then transfer to a 4-year university, in order to earn a Bachelor's degree?

The Interior Design department has established articulation (transfer) agreements with Washington State University and with Seattle Pacific University. The agreement with WSU combines BCC credits with several semesters at WSU's Interdisciplinary Design Institute in Spokane, and leads to their FIDER-accredited Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design. The agreement with SPU enables students to take 94 specified credits at BCC prior to transfer, and then 90 credits at SPU, to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Clothing, Textiles and Interiors (Interior Design emphasis). You should work with an advisor prior to your first quarter at BCC if you intend to pursue either of these transfer options. If you are considering transferring to any other four-year school, you should be aware that BCC's Interior Design degree is a terminal degree that is structured to provide professional preparation, and does not necessarily fulfill transfer requirements for most universities. You will need to work with advisors at the transfer institution to determine which of our courses will apply toward their degree.

I've heard that design programs can be expensive. What kind of costs can I expect in addition to tuition and living expenses?

The study of Interior Design requires the purchase of professional equipment and art materials as well as textbooks. Plan to spend about $800 or more per year for all of those items. The equipment you purchase will be useful during school as well as in your lifetime of professional practice.

What are my chances of finding a job when I complete my degree, and what salary can I expect to earn?

In design, like any other field, you must make your own opportunities happen. Your success will depend on your academic record, your portfolio, your ambition and the contacts you make while you are a student. The placement rate for BCC graduates is very good, and recently-hired graduates are earning competitive salaries within the industry.

I've heard the acronyms FIDER, IDEC, and NCIDQ associated with Interior Design. Can you make some sense out of this "alphabet soup" for me?

  • FIDER The Foundation for Interior Design Education Research has recently changed its name to the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. The FIDER name and acronym are being phased out. The Council accredits interior design programs at the post secondary level in the United States and Canada. Its primary purpose is to ensure a high level of quality in interior design education to meet the needs of students, the interior design profession, and society.
  • IDEC The Interior Design Educators Council is dedicated to the advancement of education and research in interior design. IDEC fosters exchange of information, improvement of educational standards, and development of the body of knowledge relative to the quality of life and human performance in the interior environment. IDEC concentrates on the establishment and strengthening of lines of communication among individual educators, practitioners, educational institutions, and organizations concerned with interior design education.
  • NCIDQ The National Council for Interior Design Qualification is an independent organization created in the public interest to establish standards for the qualification of professional interior designers. NCIDQ administers the qualifying examination that is a prerequisite for professional membership in participating design member organizations. This examination is also the basis for licensing examinations in many states.