How to Select the Right Interior Designer Degree Program

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Vestavia Hills AL, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's imperative that you obtain the appropriate training to put your talents to work. And since a number of states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's crucial that you perform the proper research in order to analyze and compare each program that you are considering before you make your final decision. But just where do you start? A number of potential students will begin their research by searching for interior design colleges near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are important variables when making a determination, they should not be the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be considered also. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class alternatives are available.

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Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Many people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The key difference between them is the amount of training required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, doing business as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or living spaces functional as well as attractive. On some projects they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are 2 broad areas that an interior designer in Vestavia Hills AL may specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers typically work on new construction and existing homes. They can design basically any room of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they can specialize in designing one specific room, for example bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When working on public or commercial spaces, designers frequently focus primarily on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. As an example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are spaces where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for banks and hospitals may focus more on functionality over appearance as the primary concern.

There are numerous areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, such as lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. They must be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From selecting wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui principles, Vestavia Hills Alabama interior designers implement a wide range of skills that contribute to their ultimate designs.
 

Interior Design Degrees

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to receive the training necessary to begin your new career in Vestavia Hills AL. Your decision will no doubt be motivated by your career objectives as well as the time and money that you have to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, make certain to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in a number of states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum amount of education required to enter the profession. They take roughly two years to complete and programs are available at numerous Alabama community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can usually obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that provide more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative aspects of the business needed to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced training in design after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are mainly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are generally completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be needed before an applicant can take the licensing exam.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Schools

When you have chosen the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Vestavia Hills AL home. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will limit your choices as well. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is closest to home are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and subsequently pick the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior design program and school that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous assessment of their programs and teachers. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it might also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Vestavia Hills Alabama employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States mandating licensing, 2 or more years of work experience may be required as well. So aside from furnishing an outstanding education, the Vestavia Hills AL school you enroll in should also furnish the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Alabama or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will probably need some support in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It might also signify that the college has a large network of Vestavia Hills AL business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Vestavia Hills AL schools you are looking at and find out what type of assistance they provide. A number of interior design colleges provide financial assistance to their new students. Some schools offer partial scholarships while others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Vestavia Hills AL colleges you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Vestavia Hills home, visit the campus and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer school you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Vestavia Hills AL, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative as well. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Choose the Right Interior Design College near Vestavia Hills Alabama

Choosing the ideal interior design program is a crucial first step toward starting your career in this creative and fulfilling profession. Searching for a college where you will receive your training and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a daunting job regardless of what field you have decided on. As with any endeavor to attain a higher education, there are a number of things to consider before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, check that the program and design college are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. But it is still important that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Vestavia Hills Alabama.