Dallas College

Interior Design


2 Certificates 1 Associate Degree
Request More Info

Are you creative and artistic? Do you always have new ideas about how to improve your surroundings? Consider our Interior Design program, where you'll gain the skills you need to succeed from many disciplines including architecture, product design and environmental psychology.

El Centro's location in downtown Dallas puts you at the center of a professional design district with opportunities for hands-on learning, student internships and immediate employment after graduation.

Interior Design at a Glance

Dallas College offers many different ways to reach your career goals. Whether you want to jump into the workforce quickly or spend more time building advanced skills, we have the programs that fit your needs and timeline.

Certificate Programs

Estimated total tuition cost2:

$1,584-$2,695

Estimated time to complete1:

8 months

  • El Centro3

Associate Degrees

Estimated total tuition cost2:

$5,940

Estimated time to complete1:

2 years

  • El Centro3

Which Degrees and Certificates are Right for Me?

Credit Certificates

Dallas College offers credit certificates that provide focused, career-ready skills recognized by employers.

Can I Get a Job?

Dallas College offers a variety of certificates and degrees to help you gain the skills you need to start working right away.

  • These credentials are often considered Career and Technical Education (CTE).
  • These credentials are established with the assistance and cooperation of representatives from local business, to meet local and regional employment needs.
  • Higher-level certificates and degrees will typically lead to a higher salary in the workforce.
  • Workforce (CE) certificates can often be completed faster than traditional credit certificates but typically do not offer college credit.
  • Level 1, Level 2, Enhanced Skills certificates and others offer college credit and are often stackable to help you build skills as you work toward an associate degree.
  • Workforce credentials may give you college credit at Dallas College, but they may not transfer to other colleges or universities.

If you're unsure if this is the right path for you, you can talk to a pathway specialist for advice.

Pathway Specialist

Associate Degrees

Dallas College's associate degrees provide a strong academic foundation for career entry or transfer to a four-year institution.

Can I Transfer?

Our Associate of Applied Science degrees and certificates may not fully transfer to a four-year college or university.

  • If your goal is to transfer, you may want to explore our Core Curriculum and Transfer Pathways.
  • You may also want to explore a transfer degree, like an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science.
  • The classes you take will count towards a bachelor's degree and are designed to be accepted by any public college or university in Texas.

If you're not sure if this is the right choice for you, you can talk to a Pathway Specialist for guidance.

Pathway Specialist

Questions About Degrees and Certificates?

We know applying to college can be confusing. If you are not yet a Dallas College student, you have a whole team of recruitment coaches to help guide you through programs and the enrollment process.

Current students, contact your success coach (advisor) who can answer any questions you have about Interior Design programs and your degree and certificate options.

Contact a Recruitment Coach

What Can I Earn? Will There Be Plenty of Jobs?

Creative flair plus an understanding of architecture, product design and aesthetics will make you a stand-out job candidate in the interior design field. Check out a few of the incredible career opportunities you’ll be ready for. Your future starts here!

Two Male architects in office discussing construction project

Architects

$43/hr

Median Salary

253

Job Openings

+18%

Projected Outlook

Top Skills:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Operations Analysis
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Monitoring
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Active Learning
Female carpenter Using Electric Sander for wood

Furniture Finishers

$20/hr

Median Salary

64

Job Openings

+7%

Projected Outlook

Top Skills:

  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Listening
  • Monitoring
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Time Management
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Speaking
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Coordination
Female Interior designer flipping through a large book with fabrics hanging in the background

Interior Designers

$33/hr

Median Salary

304

Job Openings

+15%

Projected Outlook

Top Skills:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Service Orientation
  • Coordination
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Writing
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Persuasion
A woman specialist with a tablet checks the quality of work performed and compliance with the design

Set and Exhibit Designers

$22/hr

Median Salary

41

Job Openings

+8%

Projected Outlook

Top Skills:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Operations Analysis
  • Critical Thinking
  • Time Management
  • Speaking
  • Coordination
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Writing

All jobs data gathered for Dallas/Fort Worth. Source: Dallas College Labor Market Intelligence and Lightcast4.

“The best part of my experience was that it was all practical — everything I would need to know and do as an interior designer, not just theory. We really learned the nitty-gritty of being a professional interior designer, and after graduating I felt very ready to go out and practice the profession. I don’t think I could have done justice to my clients without going through this program.” Read Margaret Chambers, RID, ASID's story.
Margaret Chambers
Margaret Chambers, RID, ASID
Owner, Chambers Interiors & Associates Inc.

Find Out More About Dallas College

Sign up to receive additional information about Dallas College or call 972-669-6400.

School of Creative Arts, Entertainment and Design

Dallas College

How would you like to take your courses?

Earn College Credit for What you Already Know

I would like to know more about earning credit for what I know through job or life experience.

*By providing your cellphone number, you agree to receive text messages from Dallas College. Message frequency may vary, and message and data rates from your carrier may apply. Reply to any Dallas College text message with STOP to opt out at any time.

1Length of time is based on catalog degree plans. Prerequisites may be required, which are not included in this estimate. For most programs, full-time student status is assumed, a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester.

2Cost for credit courses is based on tuition rates for program hours for Dallas County residents. The price of most required learning materials (books, software, supplies, etc.) is included with the price of tuition. Certain programs may have additional costs above the standard tuition. Continuing Education and Ed2Go courses may vary by program. Please review the Area of Study Overview and/or the Health Information Packets for additional costs and details. Visit our Paying for College site to learn more about cost, financial aid, scholarships and more.

3Each location offers a unique combination of certificate and degree options. Not all degree and certificate offerings are available for admission/start at all campuses every semester.

4A portion of Lightcast’s data comes from O*NET Online by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Lightcast has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Updated June 25, 2026