How to Find the Right Interior Design Degree Program

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design school near Alameda CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's essential that you receive the appropriate training to put your natural abilities to work. And since some states do require that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing examination also. So it's vital that you carry out the appropriate research in order to evaluate and compare each college that you are reviewing before you make your final decision. But just where do you start? A number of potential students will launch their research by looking for interior design colleges near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are important variables when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into account also. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training alternatives are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Some people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The main difference between them is the level of training required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, doing business as an interior designer requires formal training and in many states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or living areas attractive as well as functional. On many projects they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are two general areas that an interior designer in Alameda CA can specialize in:

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

There are many areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. Designers need to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From choosing carpeting and wall paper to incorporating Feng shui principles, Alameda California interior designers implement a wide variety of skills that help bring about their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to get the training required to launch your new career in Alameda CA. Your choice will undoubtedly be influenced by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have budgeted to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in several states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum amount of training required to enter the field. They take roughly two years to complete and programs are offered at numerous California community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can normally qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more comprehensive 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 furnish advanced training in design after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are largely for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be called for before an applicant can take the licensing exam.

Online Interior Design Classes

For individuals who wish to study in the convenience of their Alameda CA homes, there are accredited online interior design colleges. Studying online can be an excellent alternative for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For many students online schools may be the sole alternative if no interior design colleges are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated as well. Just make sure that the college you select is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. If you have the discipline to obtain your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the perfect alternative for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Once you have selected the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of evaluating your school options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the college must be within driving distance from your Alameda CA home. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will limit your choices as well. But selecting the cheapest school or the one that is closest to home are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you should look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a few questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you compare and subsequently select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior design program and school that you select has earned accreditation from 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). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous assessment of their instructors and programs. Just make sure that both the degree program and the college 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 aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many Alameda California employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore besides furnishing an exceptional education, the Alameda CA school you select should also provide the appropriate training to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some support in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It may also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Alameda CA business connections where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Alameda CA schools you are reviewing and find out what type of support they offer. A number of interior designer colleges offer financial aid to their incoming students. Some schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Alameda CA programs you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Alameda home, go to the school and attend a couple of classes. While there talk with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior design program you select provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Alameda CA, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an option also. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Enroll in the Best Interior Design College near Alameda California

Picking the ideal interior design college is an important first step toward starting your career in this artistic and fulfilling profession. Locating a school where you will receive your training and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult job no matter what field you have chosen. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are several factors to consider before enrolling in a school, program, or course. At a minimum, verify that the design college and program are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. But it is still important that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with superior training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Alameda California.