Housing Option

The Housing Option at Virginia Tech focuses on the residential environment, especially the design, selection, and marketing of residential spaces and products. Graduates of the option are well prepared to become certified kitchen and bath designers, to work in manufacturing and marketing of housing products, such as appliances and home furnishings, and to support residential construction.

The housing industry has been growing rapidly in recent years and is always an important part of the U.S. economy. Trends suggest there is a strong, on-going need in the housing field for well-educated professionals with specialized knowledge in design and the ability to think and solve complex problems. The diversity of populations with differing needs, range of available products, increase in regulations, growing concern for health and safety, and rapid changes in technology are among the factors that lead to a very complex market place. Required courses in the Housing Option emphasize functional human needs, design, technologies, products, and business factors, including current issues and practices which influence the housing environment.

Program Highlights:

• All Housing students complete at least one internship with a firm that specializes in housing products and/or services. Students gain real-word experience, make valuable career contacts, and explore different career focus in a location of their choosing.
• Students in the Housing Option can complete the requirements for the Accredited Program in Kitchen and Bath Design of the National Kitchen and Bath Association. A graduate of this program can sit for the Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer (AKBD) certification exam immediately after completing the program and can sit for the Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) or Certified Bath Designer (CBD) exams after two years of professional experience
• Program facilities include studio spaces, a resource room, and the Center for Real Life Kitchen Design, which includes six working kitchens used in teaching and research.
• Through contacts with the Center for Real Life Kitchen Design Advisory Board and the NKBA Student Chapter, students have opportunities to meet industry leaders and be involved in professional activities.
• Virginia Tech's Housing faculty members are nationally recognized for their research and scholarly contributions to kitchen and bath design.

Change of Major Policy
Change of Majors for the Housing Option will be accepted only during the months of September and February. A typed, double-spaced, two-page statement outlining the applicant's career goals in housing must accompany the Change of Major form.