How to Enroll in the Best Interior Designer Degree Program

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design school near Orangevale CA, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's essential that you get the right training to put your skills to work. And since some states do mandate 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 carry out the appropriate research in order to evaluate and compare each school that you are considering prior to making your final selection. But just where do you start? Many prospective students will begin their research by searching for interior design programs near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are key issues when making a determination, they should not be the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation must be considered as well. We will discuss those issues and other crucial 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 class choices are available.

Start Your Interior Design Career By Requesting Free Info on Local Schools Below

Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Many people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The principal distinction between the two is the amount of education required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, conducting 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 and be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make work or residential areas attractive as well as functional. On various occasions they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in Orangevale CA may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. 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 can specialize in designing one particular room, for instance kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Design. When working on commercial or public areas, designers often concentrate predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. For instance, business reception areas and meeting rooms are spaces where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for hospitals and banks might focus more on functionality over appearance as the primary concern.

There are various areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, including color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. They have to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to integrating Feng shui principles, Orangevale California interior designers employ a wide range of skills that help bring about their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Design Degrees

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to obtain the training necessary to begin your new career in Orangevale CA. Your decision will undoubtedly be motivated by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you decide to enroll in, make sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in some states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum level of training needed to enter the profession. They take roughly two years to complete and programs are offered at numerous California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can usually obtain 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 deal with the creative and technical facets of the business needed to become a designer. They are the minimum degree 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 design training after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are primarily for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are generally completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

Online Interior Design Colleges

For students who wish to study in the convenience of their Orangevale CA homes, there are online accredited interior design degrees. Studying online can be an excellent solution for those students that are employed or have busy 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 many students online colleges may be the only option if no interior design schools are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated also. Just make sure that the college you pick 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 discipline to earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design school may be the right option for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

After you have selected the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the school must be within driving distance from your Orangevale CA residence. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will narrow down your options also. But selecting the least expensive college or the one that is closest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a list of questions that you may want to ask the programs you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others in order to help you compare and subsequently select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior designer school and program that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the industry 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 make sure that both the degree program and the college 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 education are outstanding, it may also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Orangevale California employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, 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 as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States calling for licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Orangevale CA college you choose should also furnish the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some support in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out 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 students are in demand. It could also indicate that the college has a significant network of Orangevale CA business connections where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Orangevale CA colleges you are reviewing and ask what type of aid they provide. A number of interior designer schools offer financial aid to their new students. Various schools offer partial scholarships and others provide help in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Orangevale CA programs you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Orangevale home, go to the school and monitor a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

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

Choose the Best Interior Design College near Orangevale California

Picking the right interior design college is a crucial initial step toward launching your career in this creative and gratifying occupation. Locating a college where you will obtain your training and cultivate your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging task no matter what major you have decided on. As with any endeavor to attain a higher education, there are a number of things to consider before enrolling in a school, program, or course. At a minimum, check that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the business. But it is still essential that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the right final selection. And with excellent training and your drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Orangevale California.