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Interior Designer School
How to Pick the Right One Near Anniston Alabama

Anniston Alabama modern interior designed office meeting roomSo it’s time to start the task of choosing an interior design school near Anniston AL once you have made a career decision to study to be an interior designer. It's imperative that you get the appropriate training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since interior designers must be licensed in a number of states, the college you select should prep you to pass any required licensing exam and provide the necessary training for your specialty. So it's crucial you perform the proper research in order to evaluate and compare each program that you are reviewing before you make your ultimate decision. But just how do you undertake enrolling in the right program? Some potential students will start their research by looking for interior design programs near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are relevant variables when making a determination, they are by no means the sole ones. There are several other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit about the degree and training alternatives are available.

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Interior Designer Degrees

Anniston Alabama open interior designed kitchen with hanging lights

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to obtain the training needed to start your new profession in Anniston AL. Your selection will no doubt be influenced by your career goals as well as the money and time that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain 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 benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

  • Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum amount of education required to enter the field. They take approximately 2 years to finish and programs are available at numerous Alabama vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can usually qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
  • Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that furnish more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative aspects of the business required to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
  • Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced design training after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
  • Doctorate Degree. Doctoral 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 normally completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be required before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Interior Designer Online Classes

Anniston Alabama woman taking interior design courses onlineFor individuals who wish to study in the convenience of their Anniston AL homes, there are accredited online interior design degrees. Studying online can be a great option for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For some students online programs may be the sole alternative if no interior design colleges are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated as well. Just make certain that the college you enroll in is accredited by a respected accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the discipline to acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design college may be the ideal alternative for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Schools

Now that you have selected the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the campus has to be within driving distance from your Anniston AL residence. Of course if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will limit your choices also. But selecting the least expensive school or the one that is closest to home are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you need to look at also, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the colleges you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others to help you assess and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior design program and school that you select has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive 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 school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Anniston AL employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require 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 college. And in some of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to furnishing an outstanding education, the Anniston AL program you choose should also furnish the proper education to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for Alabama or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It could also indicate that the school has a large network of Anniston AL business connections where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Anniston AL colleges you are evaluating and find out what kind of aid they offer. A number of interior design programs provide financial assistance to their new students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide help in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classrooms? Small 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 Anniston AL colleges you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Anniston home, go to 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 philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior design school you enroll in offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Anniston AL, confirm that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an alternative as well. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Find Out More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Anniston

Choose the Right Anniston Interior Design School

Selecting the ideal interior designer program is an important initial step toward starting your career in this creative and fulfilling profession. Finding a school where you will receive your training and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult job regardless of what major you have chosen. As with any undertaking to receive a higher education, there are a number of things to think about before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, make sure that the design college and program are both accredited and highly esteemed in the field. It is still imperative that you conduct your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the right ultimate selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Anniston Alabama.





 

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