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Schools Offering Interior Design Programs near Buckeye AZ

How to Choose the Right Interior Designer College

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior designer school near Buckeye AZ, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's essential that you obtain the right training to put your talents to work. And since a number of states do require that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's very important that you perform the proper research in order to assess and compare each school that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection. But where do you begin? A number of potential students will kick off their research by searching for interior design schools near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are key variables when making a decision, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation must be considered also. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class options are offered.

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Interior Decoration and Interior Design

interior designed living room in Buckeye AZ

Often people mistake interior decoration for interior design. The primary distinction between the two is the amount of training required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, conducting business as an interior designer requires a formal education and in many states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or residential spaces functional as well as attractive. On many occasions they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are two general categories that an interior designer in Buckeye AZ can specialize in:

  • Residential Design. Interior Designers often work on new construction and existing homes. They can design basically any room of the home, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one specific room, such as kitchens or bathrooms.
  • Commercial Designing. When dealing with commercial or public spaces, designers often concentrate predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. As an example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are spaces where aesthetics may be stressed over function. Designs for hospitals and banks might concentrate more on functionality over looks as the main concern.

There are several areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. Designers have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From selecting wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui concepts, Buckeye Arizona interior designers utilize a wide range of skills that help bring about their final creations.
 

Interior Design Training Programs

There are four degree options available in interior design to receive the training needed to begin your new career in Buckeye AZ. Your selection will undoubtedly be driven by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt 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 mandated in a number of states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

  • Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum amount of education needed to enter the profession. They take about two years to complete and programs are available at numerous Arizona 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 supply more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical components of the business needed to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
  • Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced design training after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
  • Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mostly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs vary in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be required before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Schools

Buckeye Arizona interior designer bathroomWhen you have decided on the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of assessing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Buckeye AZ home. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will limit your choices also. But picking the least expensive school or the one that is closest to home are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you should consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a few questions that you may want to ask the schools you are looking at to obtain those answers as well as others to help you examine and ultimately choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior design program and school that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their programs and instructors. Just verify 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are exceptional, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Buckeye Arizona employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required as well. So in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Buckeye AZ college you choose should also furnish the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum licensing requirements for Arizona or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some support in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It could also signify that the school has a sizable network of Buckeye AZ business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Buckeye AZ colleges you are evaluating and find out what kind of support they provide. Many of interior designer colleges offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Buckeye AZ schools you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Buckeye home, go to the school and attend a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior design school you choose provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Buckeye AZ, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Choose the Best Interior Designer School near Buckeye Arizona

interior designed kitchen in Buckeye ArizonaPicking the ideal interior design program is an important first step toward launching your career in this creative and gratifying profession. Locating a college where you will obtain your education and cultivate your talents in a specific area of study is a difficult task regardless of what field you have selected. As with any undertaking to attain an advanced education, there are many factors to think about before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, make sure that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the field. But it is still imperative 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 evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Buckeye Arizona.