How to Enroll in the Right Interior Design Degree Program

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design degree program near San Luis Obispo 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 obtain the appropriate training to put your natural abilities to work. And since a number of states do require that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's very important that you do the appropriate research in order to evaluate and compare each program that you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision. But where do you begin? Many potential students will kick off their research by looking for interior design schools near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are key factors when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation must be taken into account also. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training options are available.

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Interior Design compared to Interior Decoration

Many people confuse interior design for interior decoration. The principal 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 spaces. On the other hand, doing business as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make living or work spaces attractive as well as functional. On some occasions they may work together with architects and building engineers. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in San Luis Obispo CA may specialize in:

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

There are many areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, such as lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They need to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From choosing carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui principles, San Luis Obispo California interior designers implement a wide variety of skills that contribute to their final designs.
 

Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to get the training needed to launch your new profession in San Luis Obispo CA. Your selection will no doubt be motivated by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, be sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in some states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum amount of education required to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to finish and programs are available at many California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can commonly qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that furnish more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical aspects of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced training in design after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are mostly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are generally 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, 2 or more years of professional experience may be called for before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Interior Design Online Schools

For students who wish to study in the convenience of their San Luis Obispo CA homes, there are online accredited interior design classes. Studying online can be an excellent alternative for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For many students online programs 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 conventional options. Additional expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be decreased or eliminated as well. Just make sure that the program you enroll in is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the dedication to acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design college may be the perfect alternative for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Once you have selected the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the campus must be within driving distance from your San Luis Obispo CA home. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will decrease your choices also. But choosing the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the schools you are considering to get those answers as well as others in order to help you compare and subsequently choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's imperative to confirm that the interior designer program and college that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just verify that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many San Luis Obispo California employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, 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 as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States mandating licensing, a minimum of 2 years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore aside from providing an outstanding education, the San Luis Obispo CA program you choose should also furnish the appropriate training to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the programs 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 an excellent indication that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It may also signify that the school has a large network of San Luis Obispo CA business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the San Luis Obispo CA colleges you are looking at and find out what kind of aid they offer. Many of interior design schools provide financial assistance to their new students. Some schools offer partial scholarships while others provide help in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the San Luis Obispo CA colleges you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your San Luis Obispo home, go to the college and attend a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer college you enroll in provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near San Luis Obispo CA, make certain that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Enroll in the Right Interior Design College near San Luis Obispo California

Picking the right interior design school is an important first step toward starting your career in this artistic and fulfilling profession. Searching for a school where you will obtain your training and cultivate your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging task no matter what field you have selected. As with any undertaking to attain an advanced education, there are a number of factors to think about before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. But it is still important that you carry out your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the right final selection. And with quality training and your drive to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in San Luis Obispo California.