How to Pick the Right Interior Designer Degree Program

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design degree program near San Gabriel CA, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's imperative that you get the appropriate training to put your talents to work. And since several states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's very important that you perform the appropriate research in order to assess and compare each school that you are considering before you make your ultimate choice. But where do you start? A number of future students will begin their research by searching for interior design colleges near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are important issues when making a decision, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation must be considered also. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you should be asking 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 available.

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

Interior Decoration and Interior Design

Some people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The primary distinction between them is the level of training required. Anyone can work 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 requires formal training and in many 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 attractive as well as functional. On many projects they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are 2 general categories that an interior designer in San Gabriel CA can specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers often work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any room of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they can specialize in designing one specific room, for example bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When working on commercial or public spaces, designers frequently concentrate primarily on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. For example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are areas where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for hospitals and banks may focus more on functionality over appearance as the main consideration.

There are many areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, such as lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From choosing carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui concepts, San Gabriel California interior designers employ a wide range of skills that contribute to their final creations.
 

Interior Design Degrees

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to obtain the training necessary to start your new profession in San Gabriel CA. Your selection will no doubt be motivated by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated 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 short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum amount of education needed to enter the field. They take approximately two years to finish and programs are available at many California trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can normally qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that deliver more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical facets of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest 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 furnish advanced design training after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to improve 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 programs differ in length but are generally completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally 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 take the licensing examination.

Interior Designer Online Degree Programs

For students who wish to study in the convenience of their San Gabriel CA homes, there are accredited online interior design degrees. Studying online can be a great option for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For some students online programs may be the only alternative if no interior design schools are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Additional expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the program you select is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, 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 distance or online education. If you have the dedication to obtain your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design college may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Once you have chosen the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of evaluating your school options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the school needs to be within driving distance from your San Gabriel CA residence. Of course if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will decrease your choices also. But selecting the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to home are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you should look at also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a few questions that you may want to ask the schools you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others to help you assess and subsequently choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior design school and program that you choose has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive assessment of their programs and instructors. Just make sure that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of San Gabriel California employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the School Prepare 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 as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required also. So besides furnishing an outstanding education, the San Gabriel CA college you select should also provide the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will probably want some help in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It could also indicate that the school has a substantial network of San Gabriel CA business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial aid departments for the San Gabriel CA schools you are reviewing and ask what kind of aid they offer. Many of interior designer colleges provide financial aid to their incoming students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide help in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the San Gabriel CA programs you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your San Gabriel home, visit the school and monitor 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 philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design program you select offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near San Gabriel CA, make certain that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Enroll in the Best Interior Design Program near San Gabriel California

Choosing the right interior designer college is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Searching for a college where you will obtain your education and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a challenging task regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are many things to consider before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, verify that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the field. However it is still essential that you carry out 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 colleges so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with excellent training and your determination to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in San Gabriel California.