Distance Learning (Online) | Alberta | BC | Manitoba | New Brunswick
| Newfoundland/Labrador | Nova Scotia | Ontario | PEI | Quebec | Saskatchewan |
The following is a list of institutions recognized by DDA in the decorating or design field of study. Contact them directly to obtain relevant course or program information. DDA does not recommend any one particular school. We encourage potential students to research the individual programs to ensure you choose the program that best suits your career goals within the interior decorating and design industries.
DDA Minimum Standards for Education Program Recognition
Canadian Programs
- A provincial government recognizes or accredits the program.
- The federal government accepts a tax receipt for tuition paid in the program.
- The program must be offered at a Canadian-based institution.
- The program has: (a) a minimum 300 hours of in-class & field trip instruction (not including studio, practicum, project work); or (b) requires a minimum 6 months for completion of a program.
- The program is offered on-line and/or through correspondence courses and meets the criterion of #4 (b). For this section it is understood that the program may not meet criteria #1 or #2.
Non-Canadian Programs
- The program has: (a) a minimum of 300 hours of in-class & field trip instruction (not including studio, practicum, project work); or (b) requires a minimum 6 months for completion of a program.
- The program is offered on-line and/or through correspondence courses and meets the criterion of #1 (b).
- A “Credential Evaluation” is submitted with the application from World Education Services (https://www.wes.org/ca/) indicating the program meets the criteria of DDA’s Standard for recognition.
Other
DDA also recognizes and accepts in respect of Canadian programs:
- Graduates of old programs no longer in existence based on comparison to comparable current programs. The applicant will submit the list of courses and number of instruction hours of the program for approval.
- Graduates of Interior Design 3yr diploma or 4yr degree programs.
- Graduates of Specialty Programs provided that the foundation of the pre-requisite program is met.
Important Note: DDA Canada does not regulate the profession of Interior Design nor provide any ability for members to represent themselves as Interior Designers. The profession of Interior Design is regulated at the provincial level in Canada. More information can be found here.
BRITISH COLUMBIA | ||
| Institution | Program | |
| Vancouver Community College | Interior Design Certificate **Program currently under review | |
| Kwantlen University College, VCR | Interior Design Degree | |
| Choices Burnaby | Choices (full-time) Interior Decorator Career Training Diploma Program (school districts offer part-time evening diploma courses) | |
| British Columbia Institute of Technology BCIT | Interior Design Management Certificate Diploma of Technology in Interior Design | |
| Centre For Arts and Technology | Interior Design Diploma | |
ALBERTA | ||
| Institution | Program | |
| Bow Valley College, CLGY | ||
| University of Calgary | Visual Design Certificate / Int. Design Specialization | |
| Mount Royal University, CLGY | Bachelor of Interior Design, Interior Decorating Extension Certificate Program | |
| NAIT N. Alberta Inst. of Tech., EDM | Diploma in Interior Design Technology | |
| University of Alberta, EDM | Residential Interiors Certificate | |
| Lethbridge College | Interior Design Diploma | |
| Lakeland College, Vermillion | ||
SASKATCHEWAN | ||
| Institution | Program | |
Academy of Learning Career College Formerly Universal Career College | Interior Decorating Diploma Program 36 weeks | |
MANITOBA, Winnipeg | ||
| Institution | Program | |
| Red River College | Residential Decorating Certificate | |
| University of Manitoba | Interior Design Degree, Interior Design Masters Degree | |
ONTARIO | ||
| Institution | Program | |
| Barrie: | ||
| Georgian College | Bachelor of Interior Design - 4 yrs Interior Decorating Diploma - 2 yrs | |
| Hamilton: | ||
| Mohawk College | Based on recent changes Mohawk College will no longer be recognized by DDA. All those who enrolled in or graduated from their Interior Decorating Certificate program prior to September 2018 will be eligible for student and accredited membership. Anyone applying for membership with a graduation date from September 2018 onward will not be eligible for membership through a diploma-only application, but may be accepted under portfolio-based applications. | |
| Kitchener | ||
| Conestoga College | Interior Decorating Certificate Interior Decorating Diploma Program | |
| London: | ||
| Fanshawe College | ||
Westervelt College | 6-mo. Interior Decorating Diploma | |
| Oakville: | ||
| Sheridan College | ||
| Oshawa: | ||
| Durham College | Interior Decorating Certificate | |
| Ottawa: | ||
| Algonquin College | Interior Decorating Diploma Residential Décor Certificate Interior Design Degree | |
| La Cite Collegiale | Interior Decorating Diploma -2 yrs | |
| Sarnia: | ||
| Lambton College | Interior Decorating Residential Certificate | |
| Toronto: | ||
| Art Institute of Toronto | Residential Design Diploma, Interior Design Adv Diploma (this program is discontinued. DDA recognizes existing students & graduates) | |
| George Brown College | Interior Decorating Certificate | |
| Humber College | ||
| Ryerson University | Interior Design Degree | |
| Seneca College | Interior Decorating Certificate | |
| Windsor: | ||
| St. Clair College | ||
QUEBEC | ||
| Institution | Program | |
| Inter-Dec College, MTL | Interior Design Diploma | |
| Professional Education Diploma - Interior Decorating and Visual Display | ||
| Herzing College Montreal | Interior Design Attestation of Collegial Studies or/ou Design d'interieur Attestation d'Etudes Collegiale | |
NEW BRUNSWICK, Saint John | ||
| Institution | Program | |
| Eastern College - Moncton, Fredericton, Saint John | Interior Decorating Diploma | |
New Brunswick Community College *This program is no longer offered at NBCC. Graduates are still eligible for Accredited membership. | Interior Decorating Certificate | |
NOVA SCOTIA, Halifax | ||
| Institution | Program | |
| Eastern College | Interior Decorating Diploma | |
*Formerly Success College | Interior Decorating Diploma | |
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND | ||
| Institution | Program | |
| No programs at this time. | ||
NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR, St. John's | ||
| Institution | Program | |
| Academy Canada | Diploma of Applied Arts - Interior Decorating | |
DISTANCE LEARNING (Online Courses) | ||
| Institution | Program | |
| The Design ECademy *As this program is an international one, it may not meet all of the territorial/tax rebate requirements of other programs. The course content has been reviewed by DDA and deemed to meet our educational standards. | ||
| ICS Canada Grant program for DDA membership available to ICS Graduates – refer to their site for eligibility and program details. | Interior Decorating Accreditation | |
The Interior Design Institute - Canada *This program may not meet all of the territorial/tax rebate requirements of other programs. The course content has been reviewed by DDA and deemed to meet our educational standards. | Interior Design Diploma | |
| LaSalle College | ||
| QC Design School | ||
| Toronto Film School at RCC Institute of Technology | ||
| Interactive Design Institute | ||
| Sheffield (now known as New York Institute of Art + Design) | Based on recent changes the Sheffield school will no longer be recognized by DDA. All those who enrolled or graduated prior to September 2018 will be eligible for student and accredited membership. Anyone applying for membership with a graduation date from September 2018 onward will not be eligible for membership through a diploma-only application, but may be accepted under portfolio-based applications. | |