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Residential Environments and Design Major

What is a Major in Residential Environments and Design?

You will develop creative abilities, problem-solving skills, analytical abilities, and a foundation of knowledge of the residential design industry through lecture, laboratory, and studio classes. The program allows you to complete a minor or personally-designed cognate in a support area of study. Graduates become certified kitchen and bath designers, work in manufacturing and marketing of housing products, and support residential construction.

Why Study Residential Environments and Design at Virginia Tech?

Our program is accredited by the National Association of Kitchen and Bath Design, allowing students to count their hours in class and internships toward the time they need to accrue to sit for certification exams. You will have access to our Center for Real Life Kitchen Design, a space where you can work toward making your ideas a reality. Our team of faculty mentors is dedicated to helping students succeed in their chosen areas of specialty.

 
100%
Of Students Complete an Internship

 
7
Kitchens in the Center for Real Life Kitchen Design

 
3
Exclusive Facilities for Research and Design

Careers and Further Study

What Can You Do with a Residential Environments and Design Major?

Companies that Hired Our Graduates

  • American Kitchen and Bath
  • Classic Kitchens of Virginia
  • Design Solutions
  • Hatchett Design/Remodel
  • Lane Homes and Remodeling
  • Richards Construction
  • Tatari Design Center
  • Reico Kitchen and Bath
  • Ferguson Enterprises
  • Broadway Kitchens
  • Kohler
  • Home Depot
  • Lowe’s
  • Bed Bath and Beyond

Beyond the Classroom

Experiential Learning

Get Experience

You will complete a field study with employers who often offer jobs to students after graduation.

Students who wish to graduate with a National Kitchen and Bath accreditation must complete their field study with a business that has a kitchen or bath emphasis.

Get Experience
Certification

Our major is accredited by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). You can count time in school and internship as qualifying work experience in preparing for certification exams. Once you complete the accredited program, you can sit for the Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer (AKBD) certification exam immediately after graduation. After two years of professional experience, you may pursue the Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) or Certified Bath Designer (CBD).

Kitchen and Bath Design Certification
Come with us

In recent years, students have attended Design and Construction Week™ in Las Vegas to participate in the National Kitchen and Bath Association and National Association of Home Builders industry shows and conferences.

We offer a property management and housing study abroad every other year (2022:2024) with topics that include current and historic residential design, kitchen and bath product design, new ideas in housing technologies, energy and environmental issues impacting housing and communities, and multifamily and commercial property management.  Countries visited have included Germany, France, and Czech Republic.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Come With Us
Financial Awards

You can receive awards and scholarships offered by our department and the Center for Real Life Kitchen Design Advisory Board. Design competitions and awards are also available by participating in the student activities of the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

Financial Awards

Bachelor of Science in Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management Degree

Residential Environments and Design Major Requirements

  • Universal Design
  • House Planning
  • Advanced Kitchen and Bath Design

Minor and Elective Hours

Our program gives you the opportunity to build knowledge in another area by pursuing a minor, double major, or cognate.


120 hrs

B.S. Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management

42 hrs
General Education

64 hrs
Major Requirements

14 hrs
Elective


 

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