How to Choose the Right Interior Designer Degree Program

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near San Leandro CA, it's time to start 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 receive the appropriate training to put your talents to work. And since some states do require that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's vital that you perform the appropriate research so that you can analyze and compare each college that you are looking at prior to making your final selection. But exactly where do you begin? Many prospective students will start their research by looking for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are important issues when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation must be taken into consideration also. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking 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 class alternatives are offered.

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Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Many people confuse interior design for interior decoration. The principal difference between the two is the amount of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, doing business as an interior designer requires a formal education 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 living or work spaces functional as well as attractive. On many projects they may collaborate with architects and building engineers. There are 2 broad areas that an interior designer in San Leandro CA can specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers frequently 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 specific room, for example bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Design. When working on commercial or public areas, designers frequently focus predominantly on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but take notice of both. As an example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are spaces where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for hospitals and banks may focus more on functionality over looks as the primary consideration.

There are various areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, such as color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. They need to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From picking carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui principles, San Leandro California interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that contribute to their ultimate designs.
 

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are four degree options available in interior design to get the training needed to launch your new career in San Leandro CA. Your selection will undoubtedly be driven 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 choose to enroll in, make certain to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in some states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum level of education required to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to finish and programs are offered at numerous California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can usually qualify for 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 deal with the technical and creative components of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs furnish advanced training in design after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are primarily for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are normally completed in 3 to 5 years.

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

Topics to Ask Interior Designer Schools

Now that you have selected the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the task of evaluating your school options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the campus must be within driving distance from your San Leandro CA residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will limit your options also. But selecting the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you should consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a few questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and ultimately select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior designer school and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just verify that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of San Leandro California employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the Program Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate that interior designers get 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 some of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required also. So aside from providing an outstanding education, the San Leandro CA program you enroll in should also provide the proper training to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly want some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its students are in demand. It might also signify that the college has a significant network of San Leandro CA business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial aid offices for the San Leandro CA schools you are reviewing and find out what kind of support they offer. A number of interior designer programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in acquiring grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the San Leandro CA schools you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your San Leandro home, visit the campus and sit in on a few classes. While there speak with some students and ask 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 Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior design program you select offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near San Leandro CA, make sure that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Enroll in the Best Interior Design College near San Leandro California

Picking the right interior design school is a crucial initial step toward launching your career in this creative and fulfilling occupation. Locating a college where you will receive your training and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a daunting job regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are many points to think about before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, make sure that the design college and program are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. However it is still essential that you carry out your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the right ultimate selection. And with quality training and your drive to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in San Leandro California.