MIA CEU Courses

Members of the MIA Speakers Bureau can offer the following classes:

Introduction to Stone Design I

This one-hour class is designed for architects, landscape architects, and interior designers desiring to gain a full understanding of natural stone as a building material. Learn more about the various natural stones (limestone, travertine, onyx, marble, serpentine, sandstone, slate, quartzite, and granite). Obtain information about common quarrying techniques, fabrication, and finishing methods. With this understanding, you'll enhance your ability to select the right stone, fabrication technique, and finish for your project.

Learning objectives include:

  1. Obtain a better understanding of the various types of natural stone.
  2. Learn about common quarrying techniques.
  3. Gain knowledge about stone fabrication and finishing methods.

Program Length: 60 minutes

  • AIA Course Number: MIA01, 1.0 HSW LU
  • ASID, IDC, IDEC, and IIDA Course Number: 5740, Subject Code: 5.0, 0.1 HSW CEU
  • ASLA Course Number: ASLA1, 1.0 HSW LU
  • NKBA: 0.1 CEU

Introduction to Stone Design II

This one-hour class is designed for architects, landscape architects, and interior designers desiring to gain a full understanding of natural stone as a building material. Attendees will better understand stone testing requirements needed for some residential, commercial, interior and exterior applications. They will also learn about many common applications of natural stone including walking surfaces, vertical surfaces, furniture and countertops.

Learning objectives include:

  1. Explain Stone Testing and Quality Control Methods
  2. Identify Common Applications of Natural Stone — Exterior, Interior, Residential, & Commercial
  3. Learn about Walking Surfaces (Flooring, Stairs, & Thresholds) & Vertical Surfaces (Adhered Systems, Anchored Systems, and Stone Thickness)
  4. Explain Common Considerations Needed for Stone Furniture and Countertops

Program Length: 60 minutes

  • AIA Course Number: MIA02, 1.0 HSW LU
  • ASID, IDC, IDEC, and IIDA Course Number: 5731, Subject Code: 5.0, 0.1 General Knowledge CEU
  • ASLA Course Number: ASLA2, 1.0 HSW LU

Genuine Stone: A Natural Choice for Sustainable Design

An introduction to sustainable design and the sustainability movement, and descriptions of how genuine stone makes an appropriate, natural material design choice that will contribute to a sustainable design solution over a project's life cycle.

Learning objectives include:

  1. Recall several objectives of sustainable design
  2. Understand some characteristics of genuine stone and their relevance to sustainable design
  3. Identify ways to reduce environmental impacts when selecting and sourcing genuine stone
  4. Explain how genuine stone was used to support sustainable design goals, upon reviewing case study examples

Program Length: 60 minutes

  • AIA Course Number: MIASD1, 1.0 HSW/SD LU
  • ASID, IDC, IDEC, and IIDA Course Number: 40071, Subject Code: 2.12, 0.1 Health & Safety CEU
  • ASLA Course Number: MIASD1, 1.0 HSW LU

Natural Stone: The Evolving Marketplace, Technology & Product Applications

This seminar will showcase the story of geniune stone in a vareity of ways. Witness a 10 minute video showcasing the history of stone, modern day quarrying techniques, and stone's durability, beauty, and value. Learn and discuss landscape, interior and exterior use and application of natural stone. Obtain more information about the use of sandstone, bluestone, limestone, and quartzite for hardscapes, as well as the interior use of limestone, marble, granite and slate. Study the use of limestone for trims, caps, stoops, poolcopings, watertables, veneers, and much more. Finally, tour a working stone facility and view the equipment used to fabricate stone.

Learning objectives include:

  1. Learn about the history of stone, modern day quarrying techniques, and stone's durability, beauty, and value.
  2. Study and discuss landscape, interior and exterior use and application of natural stone.
  3. Obtain information about integrating trims, caps, stoops, poolcopings, watertables, veneers, etc into your designs.
  4. Tour a working stone facility and view the equipment used to fabricate stone.

Program Length: 60 minutes

  • AIA Course Number: 2011TL, 1.0 HSW LU
  • ASID, IDC, IDEC, and IIDA Course Number: 5957, Subject Code: 5.0, 0.1 General Knowledge CEU
  • ASLA Course Number: ASLA4, 1.0 HSW LU
  • NKBA: 0.1 LU

Natural Stone Thin Veneer: The Basics

This one-hour class is designed to provide you with a basic understanding of a relatively new application (thin veneer) of a product (natural stone). Explore natural stone's beauty and durability on structures from around the world. Learn the history and best uses for different types of stone veneer, how thin stone is produced, and common application techniques and opportunities. This course is part one of a two-part natural stone thin veneer series.

Learning Objectives

  1. Explore the history and best uses for different types of veneer.
  2. Learn how natural stone thin veneer is made and what product variations are available.
  3. Discover the advantages over anchored veneer and manufactured stone.
  4. Learn about application techniques and opportunities.

AIA Course Number: MIA04 / 1.0 HSW LU
ASID, IDC, IDCEC, and IIDA Course Number: 0.1 HSW LU
NKBA Course Number: 0.1 CEU
ASLA Course Number: ASLA5 / 1.0 HSW LU

Marble Use in the Kitchen

Specific to natural stone, many may think that you can only use granite on a kitchen countertop. This class will focus on the use of marble in the kitchen which is on the rise in the U.S. (note: marble has been used in kitchens for hundreds of years, especially in Europe). Attendees will learn that the use of marble in a kitchen will require different protective treatments. They will also learn more about the increasing trend of marble use in the kitchen; obtain unique design elements of using marble for a countertop surface; and, expand their ability to set the proper consumer expectation.

This one-hour class is designed for residential, hospitality, and facilities management design professionals.

Learning objectives include:

  1. Learn more about the increasing trend of marble use in the kitchen.
  2. Obtain unique design elements of using marble for a countertop surface.
  3. Expand your ability to set the proper consumer expectation.

Program Length: 60 minutes

  • AIA Course Number: MIA03, 1.0 HSW/LU
  • ASID, IDC, IDEC, and IIDA Course Number: 5732, Subject Code: 5.0, 0.1 General Knowledge CEU
  • NKBA: 0.1 CEU

Partnering with Natural Stone Countertop Fabricators & Distributors for Increased Sales

Natural stone is one of the hottest building products in the world today with increased sales for many in the design and dealer communities. You rely on the credibility of natural stone fabricators/installers to help you exceed customer expectations. This session will guide you through the process needed to identify a quality natural stone company. This relationship is critical to develop an ally in the stone selection, fabrication, and installation processes.

Learning objectives include:

  1. Become knowledgeable on what to look for when choosing a natural stone company.
  2. Identify key ingredients needed in any business relationship specific to stone selection, fabrication, and installation.
  3. Learn to strengthen customer relationships.
  4. Enhance communication with fabricator to set customer expectations. (don't allow the customer to be confused)

Program Length: 60 minutes

  • NKBA: 0.1 CEU

Additional presentations are being developed by the MIA's CEU member committee. If you have a suggestion for a course, please contact the MIA.

Courses only available through select MIA Members

Solar Reflectivity of Construction Materials

This course offers a look at Solar Reflectivity of Construction Materials. It addresses solar control technologies, modeling tools, and building orientation. A case study is also included to showcase 'best practices' to address solar reflectivity.

Learning objectives:

  • Identify the basic characteristics solar reflection
  • Recognize the variables involved in sun-tracking and solar glare
  • Utilize solar reflectivity knowledge in designing a building
  • Reduce the risks caused by solar glare

Program Length: 60 minutes

AIA Course Number: CDC01, 1.0 HSW LU

NOTE: This course is only available through MIA Member firm Curtain Wall Design.

Genuine Stone / The Natural Choice

This course is identical to the "Natural Stone: The Evolving Marketplace, Technology & Product Applications" course outline and offered through MIA Member firm Sturgis Materials, Kansas City.