The path to a career has gotten shorter for interior design students at COC.

Students interested in studying interior design at College of the Canyons will have the opportunity to accelerate their studies, and their careers, by taking eight week courses.

For the first time this fall, the college’s interior design program will offer courses in an eight-week format, allowing students to complete more courses each semester.

“We have learned that a majority of students want to complete a program in a timely manner,” said Audrey Green, associate vice-president of academic affairs at the college. “Offering courses in this format allows that to happen, thus enabling students to enter the job market quicker.”

As an example, students can enroll in four classes during a semester rather than being limited to only one or two.

The courses have been scheduled so students can take a prerequisite course in the first eight weeks and take the sequential courses the second eight weeks, explained Green. The same course format will be followed for scheduling courses in the spring.

Interior design students will also have the chance to meet Doug Stead, executive vice-president of The California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) when he visits the college on October 16, to discuss the California Interior Design Certification.

“Certification is an important component for professionals practicing interior design, especially in commercial design,” said Dorothy Minarsch, chair of the college’s architectural drafting and interior design program.

Students interested in learning more about the relationship between interior design, the environment and sustainability can take a new course, ARCHT 200A: Sustainable Development and Environmental Design, which is scheduled to be held on Saturdays.

For more information about the college’s interior design program click here.