Residential Interiors
Earn a Certificate
Courses for everyone 12
Recognized as an excellent career-entry program by the
Decorators & Designers Association of Canada (DDA)
Start by exploring connected careers: — get insights into Alberta salaries, job forecasts, and more
This unique program, the first in Western Canada, offers you a university-level certificate in the art of interior decorating.
Recognized as an excellent career-entry program by the Decorators & Designers Association of Canada (DDA) and industry professionals, the Residential Interiors Certificate program is a comprehensive study of residential interior fundamentals and applications.
Using principles of the related fields of visual arts, architecture, and business, our instructors effectively combine design theory and practice to ensure that students gain the experience and skills needed in the ever-changing field of residential decorating.
Our student body is diverse, from recent high-school graduates to individuals seeking a career change. Some characteristics common to our students are a keen interest in fashion and home décor, good spatial perception, and the ability to work well with all types of people.
This program will take your passion for interior decorating to a new level, as you work with expert professionals to:

The office was flexible and helpful when I needed an accommodation to fast-track the program. I also liked that we always had plenty of time to complete assignments. The teachers were very nice.
Develop an awareness of the art, pragmatics, and aesthetics of housing and furnishings.
Practice interview strategies to quickly identify and interpret clients’ needs; understand basic business principles and issues.
Improve your drawing, drafting, and presentation skills; learn the fundamentals of wood frame construction.
Many of our graduates have established their own businesses; others have been employed in roles such as interior decorating consultant, manufacturer’s representative, and retail consultant.
Qualify to join the Decorators & Designers Association of Canada (DDA) and the Decorating and Interior Design Association of Alberta (DIDAA)
Earn a Certificate
in Residential Interiors
-
University of Alberta parchment in as little as 2 years
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Pay as you go
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Currently open for enrolment
Complete all six
(take EXRI 4676 first)
Choose 3 options
Enrichment options
(not for credit)
9 courses needed to graduate with this UAlberta Certificate and become a UAlberta Associate Alumni.
Only interested in taking a course? You can register for a course without applying and enrolling in the program – browse our Residential Interiors courses. If later you decide to apply for the full program, the course you’ve taken will be applied toward your Certificate as long as it is still part of the program plan at the time of your application. Please note, program requirements are subject to change over time.
Enrolling in the program is a requirement if you want to earn the certificate. Your application may be submitted before, during, or after completing the course Introduction to Residential Interiors, but you must apply before commencing your second course.
To enrol, you must have a high school diploma (minimum 100 credits) or equivalent. If you attended a high school in Alberta, transcripts may be ordered from Alberta Education at 780−427−5732; if you attended high school outside of Alberta, contact the provincial department of education.
You are still invited to apply if you do not meet the admission requirements. Your qualifications will be reviewed, and conditional entrance may be granted. For details, please contact the program office at 780−492−3034.
This part-time program is comprised of six core courses and three electives. Each course is 39 hours in length, for a total of 351 instructional hours.
Typical course load is one course each term, three terms a year. When following this structure, students can fulfill the certificate requirements within three years. The program can be accelerated by taking up to three courses at a time once the introductory course is completed. At this rate, the program takes less than two years.
A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 is required to obtain the certificate (3.5 or higher earns a certificate with distinction).
Your program requirements
Once you are admitted, you can verify your program requirements by logging into the University of Alberta’s student portal, Bear Tracks, to view your Academic Advisement.
Applying for Graduation
Submit your request to graduate to obtain your credential, receive a parchment, and (optionally) attend the graduation ceremony. Apply for graduation between November 1 and February 1 via Bear Tracks.
- If you haven’t previously completed a program application, you must do so in order to qualify for graduation.
- You must apply for graduation even if you do not plan to attend the ceremony.
The Residential Interiors courses are on the Approved Program Electives (APE) list for any Human Ecology student with a major in Clothing Textiles and Material Culture (CTMC): see BSc Human Ecology — Clothing, Textiles and Material Culture Approved Program Electives (APE), “Interiors” listing of transfer courses.
- An application fee of $100 is required for admission into the program.
- Tuition is paid on a course-by-course basis as you register for your classes.
- Courses are GST-exempt.
- Some courses require a textbook at an additional cost.
Bursaries and funding opportunities
Eligibility
|
Apply by |
---|---|
Canada-Alberta Job Grant
Available for businesses in all sectors across Alberta |
Two-thirds of the training costs (up to 100% if hiring an unemployed Albertan) any time |
Canada Training Benefit
Residents of Canada, 25-65 years old, who have $10,000-150,000 in earnings for work. |
$250+ income tax return |
Skilled Immigrant Micro-Loan
Whether you intend to work in the same field you trained in outside of Canada, or you wish to apply your transferable skills to a new career, this low-interest loan helps you cover the cost of education and related living expenses. |
Up to $15,000 loan N/A |
Alumni Professional Development Grant
Any graduate of the University of Alberta |
Up to $500 anually monthly deadline |
HRDF
Employed by the University of Alberta as Non-Academic Staff (NASA) |
$750 annually Dec / Mar / Jun / Sep |
Ella May Walker Memorial Award
Students in the Visual Arts (Certificate or Citation), Residential Interiors Certificate programs |
$500 annually June |
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Call Continuing Education Student Services Office at 780-492-3113
or Information Services and Technology (IST) at 780-492-9400