How to Pick the Right Interior Design Degree Program

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design college near La Quinta CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's imperative that you get the proper training to put your natural abilities to work. And since some states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing examination also. So it's vital that you carry out the proper research in order to assess and compare each program that you are looking at before you make your ultimate selection. But where do you start? Many potential students will begin their research by looking for interior design schools near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are key issues 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 issues and other vital questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are interested in 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 available.

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Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Many people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The principal difference between the two is the amount of training required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. On the other hand, working as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or residential areas attractive as well as functional. On many projects they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in La Quinta CA may specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers frequently work on new construction and existing homes. They can design basically any room of the home, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they may specialize in designing one specific room, for example kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Design. When dealing with public or commercial areas, designers often focus primarily on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. For 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 primary consideration.

There are numerous areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. Designers must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From picking carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui principles, La Quinta California interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that help bring about their final creations.
 

Interior Design Degrees

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to acquire the training needed to launch your new career in La Quinta CA. Your selection will undoubtedly be influenced by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in several states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum amount of training needed to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to finish and programs are available at many California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can typically obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative facets of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced training in design after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialty 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. Doctorate degrees are primarily for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs vary in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of professional experience may be needed before an applicant can take the licensing exam.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Now that you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the college needs to be within driving distance from your La Quinta CA residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will decrease your options as well. But picking the cheapest school or the one that is closest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the programs you are looking at to get those answers as well as others to help you compare and subsequently choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior design college and program that you choose has been accredited by 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). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just verify that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of La Quinta California employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require 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 college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore aside from furnishing an outstanding education, the La Quinta CA program you choose should also furnish the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It might also indicate that the college has a sizable network of La Quinta CA business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial assistance departments for the La Quinta CA schools you are evaluating and ask what type of assistance they provide. Many of interior design colleges offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships while others provide help in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the La Quinta CA programs you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your La Quinta home, visit the school and attend a couple of classes. While there talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior designer program you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near La Quinta CA, make certain that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Choose the Best Interior Design Program near La Quinta California

Selecting the ideal interior design school is an important first step toward launching your career in this artistic and fulfilling occupation. Searching for a college where you will receive your education and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a challenging job no matter what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are many factors to consider before selecting a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design school are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. However it is still imperative that you carry out your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right ultimate selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in La Quinta California.