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Schools Offering Interior Design Programs near Lake Havasu City AZ

How to Enroll in the Best Interior Design School

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior designer school near Lake Havasu City AZ, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's important that you obtain the appropriate training to put your skills to work. And since some states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's crucial that you do the proper research so that you can analyze and compare each program that you are considering prior to making your final selection. But where do you begin? A number of future students will kick off their research by looking for interior design colleges near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are important issues when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into consideration as well. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training alternatives are available.

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Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

interior designed living room in Lake Havasu City AZ

Many people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The main difference between the two is the amount of training required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, working as an interior designer requires formal training and in a number of states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make work or residential areas functional as well as attractive. On various projects they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are two general areas that an interior designer in Lake Havasu City AZ may specialize in:

  • Residential Designing. Interior Designers typically work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design basically any area of a house, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they can specialize in designing one particular room, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
  • Commercial Designing. When dealing with public or commercial spaces, designers often focus predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but pay attention to both. For instance, business reception areas and meeting rooms are areas where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for hospitals and banks may focus more on functionality over looks as the primary consideration.

There are various areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, including color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. Designers must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From selecting carpeting and wall paper to integrating Feng shui principles, Lake Havasu City Arizona interior designers utilize a wide range of skills that help bring about their ultimate designs.
 

Interior Designer Degrees

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to get the training needed to start your new profession in Lake Havasu City AZ. Your selection will undoubtedly be influenced by your career goals as well as the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, make certain to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in several states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

  • Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum level of education needed to enter the field. They take roughly 2 years to complete and programs are offered at many Arizona community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can typically obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
  • Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that furnish more comprehensive 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 graduating student in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
  • Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced design training after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many 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 college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are normally completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of professional experience may be required before an applicant can sit for the licensing examination.

What to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Lake Havasu City Arizona interior designer bathroomNow that you have selected the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of assessing your college options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Lake Havasu City AZ home. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will limit your options also. But selecting the most affordable school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and subsequently pick the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior designer school and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a regional or national 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 demanding 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 organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Lake Havasu City Arizona employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to providing an exceptional education, the Lake Havasu City AZ college you enroll in should also furnish the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum licensing requirements for Arizona or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some support in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It could also signify that the college has a significant network of Lake Havasu City AZ business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial aid departments for the Lake Havasu City AZ schools you are evaluating and find out what type of aid they offer. A number of interior design schools provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in obtaining federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Lake Havasu City AZ programs you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Lake Havasu City home, visit the school and sit in on a couple of classes. While there speak with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior design school you choose offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Lake Havasu City AZ, make sure that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Enroll in the Right Interior Designer College near Lake Havasu City Arizona

interior designed kitchen in Lake Havasu City ArizonaChoosing the ideal interior design college is a crucial first step toward starting your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Finding a college where you will obtain your training and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a difficult task regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any endeavor to acquire an advanced education, there are several points to consider before selecting a program, course or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design college are both accredited and highly respected in the field. However it is still imperative that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Lake Havasu City Arizona.