How to Enroll in the Best Interior Design Degree Program

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design degree program near San Pablo CA, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's essential that you receive the proper training to put your talents to work. And since a number of states do require that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's crucial that you carry out the appropriate research so that you can evaluate and compare each school that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection. But just where do you begin? Some potential students will launch their research by searching for interior design colleges near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are key issues when making a decision, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into consideration also. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask 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 choices are offered.

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Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Often people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The principal distinction between the two is the level of training required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, doing business as an interior designer necessitates 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 team up with architects and building engineers. There are two broad categories that an interior designer in San Pablo CA may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers often work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design basically any room of the home, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they may specialize in designing one particular room, for example bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Design. When working on public or commercial areas, designers frequently concentrate predominantly on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but take notice of both. For instance, business meeting rooms and reception areas are areas where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for hospitals and banks might concentrate more on functionality over looks as the primary concern.

There are many areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, including color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. Designers need to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From selecting wall paper and carpeting to integrating Feng shui principles, San Pablo California interior designers implement a wide range of skills that help bring about their final creations.
 

Interior Design Training Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to receive the training necessary to begin your new profession in San Pablo CA. Your choice will undoubtedly be influenced by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose to enroll in, make certain to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in some states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum amount of training needed to enter the field. They take roughly 2 years to finish and programs are offered at a number of California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that provide more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical aspects of the business needed to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs provide advanced design training after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are largely for those professionals who desire 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 as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be called for before an applicant can take the licensing exam.

What to Ask Interior Design Schools

Now that you have chosen the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your San Pablo CA residence. Of course if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will decrease your options as well. But choosing the cheapest college or the one that is nearest to home are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to consider as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the programs you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others to help you compare and ultimately choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior designer program and college that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. 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 gone through a demanding evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just confirm 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of San Pablo California employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do mandate that interior designers get 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 college. And in some of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to providing an excellent education, the San Pablo CA college you enroll in should also provide the suitable education 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? After you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will probably want some support in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its students are in demand. It may also signify that the school has a significant network of San Pablo CA business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial aid departments for the San Pablo CA schools you are reviewing and find out what type of aid they provide. Many of interior design programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Various schools offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in acquiring grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited program 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 provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the San Pablo CA programs you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your San Pablo home, visit the campus and monitor a couple of classes. While there speak with a few students and find out 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 Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer college you enroll in offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near San Pablo CA, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Choose the Right Interior Designer School near San Pablo California

Choosing the ideal interior designer college is an important initial step toward starting your career in this creative and gratifying occupation. Searching for a school where you will obtain your education and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a daunting task no matter what major you have decided on. As with any endeavor to acquire an advanced education, there are a number of factors to consider before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design school are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. However it is still important that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in San Pablo California.