Interior Designer Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Decatur Alabama

So it’s time to start the task of picking an interior design school near Decatur AL once you have made a career choice to become an interior designer. It's important that you get the appropriate training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a knack for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since some states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination as well. So in order to evaluate and compare each college you are considering prior to making your final selection it's vital that you perform the proper due diligence. But where do you start? A number of prospective students will start their research by looking for interior design programs near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are key issues when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation need to be considered as well. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit about the degree and training choices are offered.

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Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to get the training required to launch your new profession in Decatur AL. Your decision will no doubt be driven 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, make sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in some states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum level of training needed to enter the profession. They take about two years to complete and programs are offered at a number of Alabama community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can commonly obtain 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 technical and creative components of the trade required to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced design training after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialty majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of 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 university or college level. The degree programs vary in length but are generally completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of professional experience may be needed before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Interior Designer Online Classes

For anyone wishing' to study in the convenience of their Decatur AL homes, there are accredited online interior design programs. Attending classes online can be a good solution for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For a number of students online schools may be the only option if no interior design colleges are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be decreased or eliminated also. Just make sure that the school you choose is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. If you have the dedication to obtain your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design college may be the perfect option for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Programs

After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the school must be within commuting distance from your Decatur AL home. Of course if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will decrease your options also. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is closest to home are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you should look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the programs you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and subsequently choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior design program and school that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their programs and teachers. Just confirm that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Decatur AL employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate that interior designers become 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 school. And in several of those States mandating licensing, 2 or more years of work experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from furnishing an excellent education, the Decatur AL college you choose should also provide the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Alabama or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will probably want some help in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It could also indicate that the school has a sizable network of Decatur AL business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Decatur AL colleges you are evaluating and find out what type of assistance they provide. Many of interior designer schools provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Decatur AL programs you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Decatur home, visit the school and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior design college you choose offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Decatur AL, make sure that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Decatur

Choose the Best Decatur Interior Design School

Picking the right interior design program is a critical first step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Finding a school where you will obtain your training and cultivate your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging job no matter what major you have chosen. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are a number of things to think about before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, confirm that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the field. It is still important that you carry out your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with excellent training and your drive to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Decatur Alabama.

 

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