The National Kitchen & Bath Association recently announced that Fox Valley Technical College has met all requirements to become an NKBA Accredited Program provider of A.A.S. Interior Design – Kitchen and Bath Design, and Kitchen and Bath Design Certificate. FVTC offers the state’s only educational program as an associate degree in Interior Design – Kitchen & Bath Design.

NKBA Accreditation serves the professional needs of the kitchen and bath industry to ensure consistent, quality education for students who want to become kitchen or bath professionals. The NKBA currently recognizes over 55 schools in North America whose kitchen and bath curriculum meet the educational standards established by the NKBA.

These established standards include the knowledge and skills necessary for competent practice in the profession, divided into four categories: Planning and Design, Construction and Systems, Business and Project Management, and Products/Materials. Each school seeking accreditation must adequately meet stringent NKBA standards in each of these areas. These schools submit a self-study report and an analysis of competencies as related to these areas of study. An onsite evaluation is conducted, which consists of classroom observations; a curriculum review meeting with faculty; a presentation of projects; and interviews with students, faculty and administration. The educational institution must have accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or a provincial ministry of education in Canada.

NKBA Accredited Programs are evaluated with respect to mission, administration, curriculum, faculty, and resources to determine eligibility and the students’ aptitude toward fulfilling the Association’s required competencies. Industry professionals evaluate student work samples as a subjective measure of the program. Programs that meet the qualifications for accreditation, or a preliminary status of supported, are published both in print and on the NKBA website. Each year, the Association monitors the progress of these schools with the submission of student work samples based on the NKBA Student Design Competition. This process provides an outcome-based assessment to the schools. Accredited Programs have a reevaluation period of seven years.

Fox Valley Technical College earned NKBA Accreditation by demonstrating that it meets these requirements, which represent the basis of a program the NKBA considers essential for quality education. Each student must complete classroom work and internships monitored by the educational institution, which will enhance and extend the classroom experiences and make certain that they meet the NKBA’s required student competencies. Programs accredited by the National Kitchen & Bath Association must have an NKBA Certified advisor or faculty member.

About the National Kitchen & Bath Association

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is a nonprofit trade association that owns the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS®). With nearly 50,000 members, the NKBA has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry since its founding in 1963. The mission of the NKBA is to enhance member success and excellence, promote professionalism and ethical business practices, and provide leadership and direction for the kitchen and bath industry worldwide.