NKBA certifications can now be used to gain college credit. The NKBA and Thomas Edison State College of New Jersey have entered into a partnership that enables NKBA-certified members to earn college credits, beginning in the fall of 2008.

NKBA Certified Kitchen and Bath Designers and Educators set the standard for the industry. In recognition of that, individuals who have earned their AKBD, CKD, CBD, CKE, CBE, CMKBD, or CMKBE certifications are now eligible to receive up to 54 credits toward either an Associate's or Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Science and Technology in Kitchen & Bath Design from Thomas Edison State College.

The NKBA and Thomas Edison State College recognize that adults can acquire college-level knowledge without attending college. The use of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) allows students to demonstrate that they possess college-level knowledge of a subject. This knowledge may have been acquired outside of a traditional classroom setting, such as through work, volunteer service, or, in this case, NKBA certification. Both the NKBA and Thomas Edison State College realize that professionals in the kitchen and bath industry possess a wealth of knowledge and experience in their field. NKBA Certification is one aspect of demonstrating that expertise-an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Kitchen & Bath Design is another.

Thomas Edison is a fully accredited college, as well as a distance learning institution, which allows NKBA members to take any additional classes required online. As a further benefit, the NKBA has arranged for all its members across the United States and Canada to pay tuition at the same rate that New Jersey residents are charged to attend this state college.

Certified members will be awarded 12 credits for earning an AKBD certification, 21 for a CKD or CBD appellation, and 18 for the second CKD or CBD certification. This means that any NKBA member who holds a CKD appellation, for example, has earned 33 credits toward one of these degrees. If that person then earns a CBD, they would be entitled to 18 more credits. That's a total of 51 credits. A CMKBD may be entitled to an additional three credits, for a total of 54.

If you need more credits, you can take them online at a cost of $270 per credit-the same rate available to in-state residents-regardless of your state or province of residence. Because of the NKBA's partnership arrangement with Thomas Edison State College, this rate is available to any NKBA member taking any TESC course, whether you're certified or not. This is one more benefit that the NKBA is proud to offer its members.

The program is scheduled to start with the fall semester in September 2008.

To find out more regarding this program, please click here to download the Kitchen & Bath Design curriculum information sheet.