Interior Design for High School Teachers Certificate
Certificate Overview
Build your knowledge of interior design fundamentals and learn methods and strategies for teaching interior design at the high school level with this certificate, offered by the Department of Design and Merchandising and the College of Applied Human Sciences. This series of three courses is designed for family and consumer science educators seeking to build their skills to effectively teach courses such as Housing and Interiors or Interior Design.
Courses cover the basic elements and principles of residential and commercial interior design including:
- Design theory and process
- Defining and applying creativity to an interior design problem
- The language and terminology of the interior design profession
- Fundamentals of teaching small-scale residential and commercial design to high school students
The techniques and strategies you learn in this program will allow you to successfully prepare and guide high schools students to:
- Become more informed consumers of design
- Express themselves in interiors through the creative design process
- Determine their interest in pursuing interior design in college
- Pass a national exam and earn a certificate offered by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS)
Curriculum
The Interior Design for High School Teachers Certificate requires successful completion of three courses (9 credits total).
The Interior Design for High School Teachers certificate is one of the few online certificates designed for high school teachers seeking training to prepare their students for this new national exam and certificate.
Required Courses (9 credits required)
- INTD 129 - Introduction to Interior Design (3 cr.)
- INTD 255 - Residential Interiors (3 cr.)
- AHS 697 - Group Study: Teaching Residential & Commercial Design at the Secondary Level (3 cr.)
Admission to the University is not required to earn the Certificate of Completion in Interior Design for High School Teachers. You can register for any course in the certificate program in any order as there are no prerequisites. Prior CSU coursework can be applied toward this certificate, though transfer courses are not accepted.
Once you complete all three required courses with a passing grade, a Certificate of Completion will be sent to you.
Career Opportunities
For current high school teachers, the courses in this certificate may be used as credits for continued licensure.
For those pursuing a career change, successful completion of this series of courses may assist you in gaining a competitive edge in the job market and distinguishing yourself as a candidate with both knowledge of interior design and principles and strategies for teaching interior design to high school students.
What Next?
- Contact us
Mike Macklin
(970) 491-7583
michael.macklin@colostate.edu - Stay informed with email updates
Sign up for email updates, and you'll be the first to know about updates related to this certificate and other programs in the Art, Design, and Music topic area.
- Explore similar programs in Art, Design, & Music, Construction Management & Green Building, Education
- Download the Interior Design for High School Teachers flyer for program highlights.
We'll be in touch within 2 business days.
- or contact -
Mike Macklin
(970) 491-7583
michael.macklin@colostate.edu
Receive periodic emails about this program.
For curriculum questions:
Stephanie Clemons, Ph.D.
Interior Design
(970) 491-5639
sclemons@cahs.colostate.edu
Certificate at a Glance
Delivery
Online. On-campus attendance is not required.
Total credits
9 credits
Tuition
$319 or $499 per credit
Time frame
Completion of the certificate varies based on the amount of credits completed each semester. All courses are offered with no prerequisites required, and you may take one, two, or all three classes at one time.
Designed for
Family and Consumer Sciences teachers who may need additional and up-to-date information on how to teach the fundamentals of interior design at the high school level.
What you will earn
Upon completion of this series of courses with passing grades, you earn a Certificate of Completion. Individual courses, but not the certificate, appear on your official University transcript.

