How to Pick the Right Interior Design College

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design college near San Tan Valley AZ, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's imperative that you obtain the right training to put your talents to work. And since some states do require that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing exam also. So it's crucial that you do the proper research in order to assess and compare each program that you are reviewing before you make your final selection. But exactly where do you begin? Some future students will start their research by searching for interior design colleges near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are important variables when making a determination, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be considered also. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are researching 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 Decoration compared to Interior Design

Some people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The primary distinction between the two is the level of education required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. On the other hand, doing business as an interior designer requires a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make work or residential spaces attractive as well as functional. On many projects they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are two general categories that an interior designer in San Tan Valley AZ can specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers frequently work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design basically any room of the home, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they can specialize in designing one particular room, for example bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Design. When working on public or commercial areas, designers normally focus predominantly on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but pay attention to both. As an example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are areas where aesthetics may be stressed over function. Designs for hospitals and banks might focus more on functionality over looks as the main consideration.

There are various areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, such as color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. They must 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, San Tan Valley Arizona interior designers utilize a wide range of skills that contribute to their final creations.
 

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are four degree options offered in interior design to get the training needed to begin your new career in San Tan Valley AZ. Your selection will no doubt be motivated by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose to enroll in, make sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in some states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum level of education required to enter the profession. They take roughly 2 years to finish and programs are available at many Arizona community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that furnish more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical components of the trade required to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs supply advanced training in design after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialty majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are primarily for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs differ in length but are typically completed in three to five years.

In order to work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate 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.

Interior Design Online Schools

For those who wish to attend classes in the convenience of their San Tan Valley AZ homes, there are accredited online interior design schools. Studying online can be a good solution for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For a number of students online programs may be the sole option if no interior design programs are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Added costs for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated also. Just make certain that the program you enroll in is accredited by a respected accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the dedication to earn your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design college may be the perfect option for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Schools

Now that you have selected the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of reviewing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the college must be within commuting distance from your San Tan Valley AZ residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will decrease your options also. But choosing the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you need to look at also, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a few concerns that you may want to address with the colleges you are considering to get those answers in addition to others to help you assess and ultimately pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the interior design college and program that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just confirm that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of San Tan Valley Arizona employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the School 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) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required as well. Therefore besides furnishing an excellent education, the San Tan Valley AZ school you enroll in should also furnish the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination 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 want some support in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It may also indicate that the college has a sizable network of San Tan Valley AZ business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the San Tan Valley AZ schools you are looking at and ask what type of support they provide. A number of interior designer colleges offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships and others provide help in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the San Tan Valley AZ colleges you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your San Tan Valley home, visit the college and monitor a couple of classes. While there talk with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design college you enroll in provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near San Tan Valley AZ, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Choose the Right Interior Design School near San Tan Valley Arizona

Picking the ideal interior design school is a crucial first step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Locating a college where you will obtain your training and cultivate your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging task regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to attain an advanced education, there are several points to consider before enrolling in a school, program, or course. At a minimum, verify that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. However it is still essential that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design programs so that you can make the right final selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in San Tan Valley Arizona.