How to Select the Right Interior Design Degree Program

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior designer school near Dublin CA, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's essential that you obtain the appropriate training to put your talents to work. And since some states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing exam also. So it's essential that you do the proper research so that you can analyze and compare each college that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection. But just where do you start? A number of future students will kick off their research by searching for interior design schools 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. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into account also. We will address those topics and other important questions that you must ask 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 training options are offered.

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Interior Decoration compared to Interior Design

Often people mistake interior decoration for interior design. The principal distinction between the two is the level of training required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. However, working 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 educated to make living or work areas attractive as well as functional. On various projects they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in Dublin CA 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 can specialize in designing one particular room, for instance bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When working on commercial or public spaces, designers normally concentrate primarily on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but pay attention to both. For example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are spaces where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for banks and hospitals might concentrate more on functionality over looks as the primary concern.

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

Interior Design Degrees

There are four degree options offered in interior design to get the training required to launch your new profession in Dublin CA. Your selection will no doubt be driven by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you decide to enroll in, be sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in a number of states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum amount of education required to enter the profession. They take roughly 2 years to complete and programs are offered at numerous California trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can typically obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that furnish 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 minimum credential 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 provide options in specialty majors for such things 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 mostly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

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

Interior Design Online Schools

For anyone wishing to study in the convenience of their Dublin CA homes, there are accredited online interior design classes. Attending classes online can be a great option for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For a number of students online schools may be the only option 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 expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated also. Just make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. If you have the dedication to acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design school may be the perfect alternative for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Once you have selected the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of analyzing your school options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the school has to be within commuting distance from your Dublin CA home. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will decrease your choices as well. But picking the least expensive school or the one that is closest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you should consider as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Below are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you compare and subsequently select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior design program and school that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding assessment of their programs and teachers. Just verify that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Dublin California 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 become 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 college. And in several of those States calling for licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from providing an outstanding education, the Dublin CA school you enroll in should also furnish the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination 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 want some support in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design profession and its students are in demand. It may also signify that the school has a sizable network of Dublin CA business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial aid departments for the Dublin CA schools you are evaluating and ask what kind of support they provide. A number of interior designer colleges provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Dublin CA colleges you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Dublin home, go to the campus and monitor a few 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 Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior designer program you select offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Dublin CA, verify that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Enroll in the Right Interior Design College near Dublin California

Selecting the ideal interior designer program is an important first step toward launching your career in this creative and fulfilling occupation. Locating a school where you will obtain your education and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a challenging task no matter what field you have chosen. As with any endeavor to attain an advanced education, there are several points to consider before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. But it is still important that you carry out your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right ultimate selection. And with superior training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Dublin California.