How to Enroll in the Right Interior Design Program

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior designer college near Jurupa Valley CA, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's important that you get the appropriate training to put your natural abilities to work. And since a number of states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's crucial that you carry out the appropriate research so that you can evaluate and compare each school that you are looking at prior to making your ultimate choice. But exactly where do you begin? Many potential students will launch their research by looking for interior design colleges near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are relevant factors when making a determination, they should not be the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into consideration also. We will address those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training choices are available.

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Interior Design compared to Interior Decoration

Many people confuse interior design for interior decoration. The principal distinction between the two is the amount 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. However, conducting business as an interior designer necessitates formal training and in a number of states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or residential areas functional as well as attractive. On various occasions they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are two general areas that an interior designer in Jurupa Valley CA can specialize in:

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

There are various areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, including lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. They have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From choosing carpeting and wall paper to incorporating Feng shui principles, Jurupa Valley California interior designers employ a wide range of skills that contribute to their final designs.
 

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to receive the training necessary to launch your new career in Jurupa Valley CA. Your selection will no doubt be motivated by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in several states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum amount of training required to enter the profession. They take roughly 2 years to finish and programs are offered at a number of California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can normally qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that supply more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical components of the business required 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 2 year programs supply advanced training in design after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialized majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are primarily for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are normally completed in 3 to 5 years.

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, two or more years of field experience may be needed before a candidate can sit for the licensing exam.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Once you have selected the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the campus has to be within driving distance from your Jurupa Valley CA home. Obviously if you have decided on attending a school online, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will decrease your options also. But choosing the least expensive school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others in order to help you examine and ultimately select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior designer college and program that you select has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most highly regarded in the industry 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 teachers. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Jurupa Valley California employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of work experience may be required also. So aside from providing an outstanding education, the Jurupa Valley CA program you choose should also provide the proper education to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program'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 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 indication that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It could also indicate that the college has a large network of Jurupa Valley CA business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Jurupa Valley CA colleges you are reviewing and find out what type of support they provide. A number of interior design schools offer financial aid to their incoming students. Some colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Jurupa Valley CA programs you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Jurupa Valley home, go to the college and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior design college you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Jurupa Valley CA, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Enroll in the Best Interior Design Program near Jurupa Valley California

Selecting the ideal interior design school is an important initial step toward starting your career in this creative and gratifying profession. Finding a school where you will receive your training and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a daunting task regardless of what major you have chosen. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are several factors to consider before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, make sure that the design college and program are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. But it is still essential that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with excellent training and your drive to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Jurupa Valley California.