Interior Designer Degree
How to Pick the Best One Near Eagle River Alaska

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design degree program near Eagle River AK, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's important that you obtain the proper training to put your skills to work. And since some states do require that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing examination also. So in order to analyze and compare each college you are looking at prior to making your final choice it's essential that you perform 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 those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class options are available.

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Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Many people mistake interior decoration for interior design and conversely. The main difference between them is the amount of education required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, doing business as an interior designer requires formal training and in many states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make living or work areas functional as well as attractive. On various projects they may work together with architects and building engineers. There are two general categories that an interior designer in Eagle River AK can specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers often work on new construction and existing homes. They can design basically any room of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one particular room, for instance bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When working on public or commercial areas, designers often concentrate primarily on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but pay attention to both. For instance, business meeting rooms and reception areas are spaces where aesthetics may be stressed over function. Designs for banks and hospitals may focus more on functionality over appearance as the main consideration.

There are many areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, for example color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. Designers need to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From choosing carpeting and wall paper to incorporating Feng shui principles, Eagle River AK interior designers implement a wide range of skills that help bring about their ultimate creations.

Interior Designer Degrees

There are four degree options offered in interior design to get the training required to start your new career in Eagle River AK. Your choice will no doubt be driven by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, be sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in a number of states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum level of education required to enter the field. They take approximately 2 years to complete and programs are offered at numerous Alaska trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical aspects of the trade required to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs supply advanced design training after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialized majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mostly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs differ in length but are generally completed in three to five years.

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

Online Interior Design Classes

For anyone wishing' to attend classes in the comfort of their Eagle River AK homes, there are online accredited interior design colleges. Attending classes online can be a great alternative 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 home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For a number of students online colleges may be the only option if no interior design colleges are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Added expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be decreased or eliminated as well. Just make certain that the school you pick 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 earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design college may be the perfect alternative for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Programs

After you have selected the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the college has to be within driving distance from your Eagle River AK residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will narrow down your options as well. But picking the cheapest school or the one that is closest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should look at also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a few questions 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 Design Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior design school and program that you select has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just verify 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 training are outstanding, it may also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Eagle River AK employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prepare 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 school. And in some of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required as well. So aside from providing an excellent education, the Eagle River AK program you choose should also furnish the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for Alaska or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the colleges 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 held in high regard within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It may also indicate that the school has a large network of Eagle River AK business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid departments for the Eagle River AK schools you are reviewing and ask what kind of assistance they offer. Many of interior design colleges offer financial aid to their incoming students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in securing federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Eagle River AK colleges you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Eagle River home, visit 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 philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior design school you enroll in provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Eagle River AK, make sure that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Eagle River

Choose the Best Eagle River Interior Design College

Choosing the ideal interior designer school is an important initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and gratifying occupation. Locating a college where you will receive your training and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a daunting job regardless of what field you have selected. As with any undertaking to acquire a higher education, there are a number of points to consider before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, verify that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. It is still important that you carry out your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Eagle River Alaska.

 

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