How to Choose the Best Interior Design College

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior designer degree program near Pleasant Hill CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's essential that you obtain the right training to put your skills to work. And since some states do require that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's vital that you do the proper research so that you can evaluate and compare each program that you are considering before you make your final selection. But just where do you start? Many potential students will kick off their research by searching for interior design schools near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are important issues when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into consideration as well. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class options are offered.

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Interior Design compared to Interior Decoration

Some people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The principal difference between them is the amount of education required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, doing business as an interior designer requires formal training 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 living or work spaces functional as well as attractive. On many projects they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are two broad areas that an interior designer in Pleasant Hill CA can specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers typically 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 can specialize in designing one particular room, for instance bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When working on public or commercial areas, designers normally focus predominantly on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but pay attention to both. For instance, business meeting rooms and reception areas are spaces where aesthetics may be stressed over function. Designs for hospitals and banks may focus more on functionality over looks as the primary consideration.

There are various areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, for example color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. Designers must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From selecting carpeting and wall paper to integrating Feng shui principles, Pleasant Hill California interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that help bring about their final creations.
 

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to acquire the training required to start your new profession in Pleasant Hill CA. Your choice will undoubtedly be influenced by your career objectives in addition to the money and time that you have to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you decide 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 addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum level of education needed to enter the profession. They take roughly 2 years to complete and programs are available at a number of California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can typically obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that furnish more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative aspects of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs provide 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. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are primarily for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of field experience may be called for before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Online Interior Design Schools

For individuals who wish to attend classes in the comfort of their Pleasant Hill CA homes, there are accredited online interior design programs. Studying online can be a good alternative for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For some students online programs may be the sole option if no interior design schools are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Additional costs for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated also. Just make sure that the college you select is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. If you have the discipline to earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design college may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Once you have decided on the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the college needs to be within driving distance from your Pleasant Hill CA home. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will narrow down your choices also. But picking the cheapest school or the one that is nearest to home are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to consider as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the college. Below are a list of questions that you may want to ask the programs you are considering to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and ultimately select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior design school and program that you enroll in has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous assessment of their teachers and programs. 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 college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Pleasant Hill California employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States calling for licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore besides furnishing an exceptional education, the Pleasant Hill CA school you select should also provide the proper education to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will probably want some support in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It may also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Pleasant Hill CA business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Pleasant Hill CA colleges you are looking at and find out what kind of aid they provide. Many of interior design programs provide financial aid to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships and others provide help in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Pleasant Hill CA programs you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Pleasant Hill home, go to the school and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior designer college you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Pleasant Hill CA, make certain that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Choose the Best Interior Designer School near Pleasant Hill California

Choosing the right interior design college is a crucial first step toward launching your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Finding a school where you will obtain your education and cultivate your talents in a specific area of study is a difficult job regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any endeavor to attain a higher education, there are many factors to consider before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. However it is still essential that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design programs 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 Pleasant Hill California.