Interior Designer Program
How to Select the Right One Near Hartselle Alabama

So it’s time to begin the process of choosing an interior design school near Hartselle AL now that you have made a career choice to study to be an interior designer. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's imperative that you receive the proper training to put your skills to work. And since interior designers are licensed in a number of states, the school you select should prep you to pass any required licensing exam and provide the necessary training for your specialty. So in order to assess and compare each school you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision it's essential that you carry out the proper research. But just how do you go about finding the right school? When checking out interior design programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in 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 available.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Many people mistake interior design for interior decoration and vice versa. The primary difference between the two is the amount of training required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, working as an interior designer requires a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make work or living spaces attractive as well as functional. On various occasions they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are two general areas that an interior designer in Hartselle AL may specialize in:

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

There are various areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, such as lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. Designers must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From selecting carpeting and wall paper to integrating Feng shui principles, Hartselle AL interior designers implement a wide variety of skills that contribute to their ultimate designs.

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to acquire the training necessary to launch your new profession in Hartselle AL. Your selection will no doubt be driven by your career objectives in addition to the money and time that you have to commit to your education. But regardless of 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 required in a number of states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum amount of training required to enter the field. They take approximately two years to finish and programs are available at numerous Alabama vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level positions 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 technical and creative components of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced design training after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options 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 primarily for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs differ in length but are generally completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be required before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

Interior Design Online Degree Programs

For anyone wishing' to study in the convenience of their Hartselle AL homes, there are accredited online interior design colleges. Attending classes online can be a great option for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For a number of students online colleges 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 costs for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated as well. Just make sure that the program you choose is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, 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 distance or online education. If you have the dedication to earn your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design program may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Interior Designer Schools

After you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the campus must be within commuting distance from your Hartselle AL residence. Of course if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your options also. But picking the cheapest college or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other things that you need to consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and subsequently select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior designer program and college that you enroll in 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). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their programs and instructors. Just verify that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it might also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Hartselle AL employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prep 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) exam as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States calling for licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required as well. So in addition to providing an exceptional education, the Hartselle AL college you choose should also furnish the proper training to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for Alabama or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will probably want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It might also indicate that the school has a substantial network of Hartselle AL business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the Hartselle AL schools you are reviewing and ask what kind of aid they provide. A number of interior design programs provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Hartselle AL programs you are reviewing what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Hartselle home, go to the campus and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk 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 Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior designer college you select provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Hartselle AL, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Hartselle

Choose the Best Hartselle Interior Design School

Choosing the ideal interior design program is a crucial first step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Locating a school where you will obtain your training and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a challenging job no matter what major you have decided on. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are several things to think about before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. It is still essential that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the right final selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Hartselle Alabama.

 

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