How to Select the Right Interior Designer Degree Program

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior designer school near San Bruno CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's essential that you get the right training to put your talents to work. And since some states do require that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing exam also. So it's essential that you do the appropriate research so that you can analyze and compare each college that you are reviewing before you make your ultimate choice. But where do you start? A number of potential students will kick off their research by searching for interior design courses near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are important factors when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation must be taken into account as well. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class choices are offered.

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Interior Decoration vs Interior Design

Often people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The key difference between the two is the amount of training required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. However, working as an interior designer requires a formal education and in many states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or living spaces attractive as well as functional. On various projects they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are two general areas that an interior designer in San Bruno CA can specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers typically 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 specific room, such as kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Design. When dealing with commercial or public areas, designers normally focus primarily on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but pay attention to both. For instance, business reception areas and meeting rooms are spaces where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for banks and hospitals may concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the primary consideration.

There are many areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, for example color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. Designers 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 incorporating Feng shui principles, San Bruno California interior designers implement a wide variety of skills that help bring about their final designs.
 

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are four degree options available in interior design to obtain the training required to launch your new profession in San Bruno CA. Your decision will undoubtedly be motivated by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in some states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum amount of training required to enter the field. They take approximately 2 years to finish and programs are offered at a number of California trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can normally obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative aspects of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs furnish advanced training in design after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are mostly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are usually completed in three to five years.

To work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be needed before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Interior Design Online Schools

For students who wish to study in the convenience of their San Bruno CA homes, there are online accredited interior design colleges. Attending classes online can be a great option for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For a number of students online programs may be the only option if no interior design programs are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more conventional options. Additional expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be decreased or eliminated as well. Just make certain that the college you pick is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. If you have the dedication to acquire your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the perfect alternative for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Now that you have decided on the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the school must be within driving distance from your San Bruno CA home. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will limit your choices as well. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should look at also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a list of questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are considering to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's essential to confirm that the interior design program and school that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous assessment of their instructors and programs. Just verify that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of San Bruno California employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, 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 school. And in several of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore aside from providing an outstanding education, the San Bruno CA program you select should also provide the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will probably want some help in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It may also indicate that the college has a large network of San Bruno CA business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the San Bruno CA colleges you are looking at and ask what kind of assistance they provide. Many of interior designer schools provide financial aid to their new students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the San Bruno CA programs you are reviewing what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your San Bruno home, visit the college and monitor a few classes. While there speak with a few 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, make sure that the interior design college you enroll in provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near San Bruno CA, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Enroll in the Best Interior Designer School near San Bruno California

Picking the ideal interior design program is an important first step toward starting your career in this artistic and gratifying occupation. Searching for a college where you will obtain your training and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult task regardless of what major you have chosen. As with any endeavor to receive an advanced education, there are several points to consider before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design school are both accredited and highly respected in the field. But it is still important that you conduct your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with excellent training and your drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in San Bruno California.