Interior Designer Degree
How to Find the Best One Near Opelika Alabama

So it’s time to start the task of choosing an interior design school near Opelika AL now that you have made a career choice to become an interior designer. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's important that you get the right training to put your natural abilities to work. And since some states do require that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing exam also. So it's essential you perform the proper research in order to evaluate and compare each school that you are looking at prior to making your ultimate choice. But just where do you begin? A number of potential students will kick off their research by looking for interior design programs near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are relevant factors when making a determination, they are by no means 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 should be asking the interior design schools you are researching in more detail below. 

IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN CAREER BELOW!

What to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Once you have decided on the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the school needs to be within commuting distance from your Opelika AL home. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your choices as well. But choosing the least expensive school or the one that is closest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you should consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a few questions that you may want to address with the programs you are considering to get those answers in addition to others to help you compare and ultimately pick the right degree program.

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

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do require that interior designers become 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 program. And in several of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore besides furnishing an excellent education, the Opelika AL college you select should also furnish the proper training to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for Alabama or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will probably need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It might also signify that the school has a significant network of Opelika AL business connections where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Opelika AL colleges you are reviewing and find out what type of assistance they provide. A number of interior designer schools provide financial assistance to their new students. Some schools offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often 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 Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Opelika AL schools you are reviewing what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Opelika home, go to the school 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 backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer program you choose provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Opelika AL, confirm that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, confirm that is an alternative as well. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

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

Enroll in the Best Opelika Interior Design College

Choosing the right interior designer college is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Searching for a school where you will receive your education and cultivate your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging task regardless of what field you have chosen. As with any endeavor to attain an advanced education, there are several factors to consider before selecting a program, course or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design college are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. It is still imperative that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Opelika Alabama.

 

Opelika Interior Design Programs | Opelika Interior Design Courses