Yes, both the NCIDQ exams for interior design and the NCARB exams for architecture have paths for eligibility based on hours of work experience in lieu of an academic degree. Work experience accrued under PABD’s program provides up to half of the qualifying hours.

The entire PABD curriculum can be completed in as little as 28 months or 2.3 years, as opposed to 4 years at a typical university. (This includes the four fieldwork rotations where hours that count towards exam qualification can be accrued.) Ultimately it depends on each person’s schedule, external obligations, and individual ability. The program is structured to be flexible, and accommodating to different needs, so that students can work at their own pace—as fast or as slow as best suits them—to progress through the curriculum (students may take up to one year to complete a single course if necessary). Each lesson module in a course is no longer than 15-20 minutes, which allows students to complete coursework incrementally, even when they have limited time. Keep in mind that it takes a certain amount of self-discipline to make steady progress when there are no external deadlines, so we strongly suggest that students establish a schedule that they can consistently follow themselves, and to check in with their mentors regularly.

There is no need to schedule the pre-recorded video lessons; these are available as soon as you enroll in a course. Unlike a traditional classroom course, the videos can be viewed and exercises can be done on your own time—whenever you want, and as often as you need. For the live tutorial sessions with instructors, a weekly schedule will be posted on the course platform; students can sign up for sessions that fit in their schedule. 

For students on a limited budget, we offer the option to get access to our remote high-performance desktop computer that comes with all the necessary design software for the program—at no extra charge. Students must sign up for available slots (maximum of 10 hours per week for daytime slots, and 20 hours per week for nighttime slots). However, it is recommended that students obtain the appropriate laptop as soon as they can do so.

No, the comprehensive design projects at each level of the curriculum—which incorporate the skills developed in the support courses—are assessed by a panel of professionals and instructors to determine competency and readiness to participate in the fieldwork rotation and advance to the next level of the program.

Because a student’s body of work is evaluated after each level of the program by a panel of experienced design professionals, students can be assured that their skills and knowledge are aligned with what is expected in professional practice. 

The advantage of the PABD program is that students work directly with design professionals and firms in the local community during their training. This gives students abundant opportunity to discover the different areas of design specialization to choose from, meet with potential employers, and network with practicing designers in the field. Through this exposure, students will have a much better chance of securing a job after completing the PABD program than if they had attended a university.

Yes, several types of certifications are available. A Program Certificate is automatically awarded for completion of the entire required curriculum. Project Certificates are awarded after the successful completion of each level, which is determined by a panel of professional evaluators. Certificates for specialized tracks and individual courses are available by request; students must pass a comprehensive exam in order to receive those certifications.

In order to reduce the financial burden for students, we have implemented the following policies: 1) tuition fees are kept at a minimum by reducing unnecessary overhead and administrative expenses; 2) students may pay per individual course rather than having to pay for an entire full-time semester upfront; and 3) fieldwork phases—where students will be compensated—have been built into the curriculum.

But we understand that even our more affordable tuition cost may still be prohibitive for some. So to further reduce upfront expense, we also offer customized deferred payment plans. For more details about this option please contact us directly, and we would be happy to find the best financial path for you!