How to Pick the Best Interior Designer Degree Program

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior designer college near Santa Monica 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 important that you get the right training to put your skills to work. And since several states do require that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's crucial that you do the appropriate research so that you can evaluate and compare each college that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate choice. But where do you start? A number of future students will begin their research by looking for interior design colleges near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are important factors when making a decision, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation must be taken into consideration as well. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class options are offered.

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Interior Decoration compared to Interior Design

Some people confuse interior decoration for interior design. The primary difference between them is the amount of education required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they have a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, conducting business as an interior designer necessitates formal training and in many states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or residential areas functional as well as attractive. On various projects they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are two general categories that an interior designer in Santa Monica CA may specialize in:

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

There are various areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. Designers have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From selecting carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui concepts, Santa Monica California interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that contribute to their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to acquire the training required to start your new career in Santa Monica CA. Your selection will undoubtedly be influenced by your career goals as well as the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure 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 covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum amount of education needed to enter the field. They take roughly two years to complete and programs are available at many California vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can usually qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical components of the business needed to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs provide advanced training in design after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are largely for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs differ in length but are usually 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 schools become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be needed before a candidate can sit for the licensing exam.

Interior Designer Online Schools

For individuals who wish to study in the comfort of their Santa Monica CA homes, there are online accredited interior design colleges. Studying online can be a great alternative for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For some students online schools may be the sole alternative if no interior design programs are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just make sure that the program you choose is accredited by a respected accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the discipline to obtain your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the ideal alternative for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Programs

Once you have chosen the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of evaluating your college options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the college has to be within commuting distance from your Santa Monica CA residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will decrease your options also. But choosing the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you should consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you examine and ultimately select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior design program and college that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their programs and instructors. Just verify that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are exceptional, it might also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Santa Monica California employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of work experience may be required also. Therefore besides providing an excellent education, the Santa Monica CA program you choose should also furnish the suitable education 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 School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will probably want some help in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job assistance 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 regarded within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It could also indicate that the college has a large network of Santa Monica CA business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Santa Monica CA colleges you are evaluating and find out what type of support they provide. Many of interior design colleges provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Some colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide help in securing federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may effectively 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 one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Santa Monica CA schools you are looking at what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Santa Monica home, visit the college and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk 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 Offered that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer college you select offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Santa Monica CA, make certain that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative also. 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 Santa Monica California

Picking the right interior design program is a crucial first step toward starting your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Finding a school where you will receive your training and cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a daunting task no matter what field you have chosen. As with any endeavor to attain a higher education, there are a number of things to consider before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. But it is still important that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Santa Monica California.