Interior Designer Degree Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Lake Havasu City Arizona

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Lake Havasu City AZ, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. It's imperative that you get the best available training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since several states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing examination also. So in order to analyze and compare each school you are considering before you make your ultimate selection it's very important that you perform the proper due diligence. But just how do you undertake finding the right school? When looking for interior design programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit about the degree and training options are offered.

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Interior Design Degrees

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to receive the training needed to launch your new career in Lake Havasu City AZ. Your choice will undoubtedly be driven by your career goals as well as the money and time that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you choose 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 mandated in a number of states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum amount of education required to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to complete and programs are available at numerous Arizona community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can normally obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that deliver more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative aspects of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced design training after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are mainly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

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

Interior Design Online Colleges

For individuals who wish to attend classes in the comfort of their Lake Havasu City AZ homes, there are accredited online interior design degrees. Studying online can be a good option for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For a number of students online schools may be the sole alternative if no interior design colleges are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated also. Just make certain that the program you choose is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, 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 dedication to earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design school may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Interior Design Schools

When you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of evaluating your school options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the college has to be within commuting distance from your Lake Havasu City AZ 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 qualification. The cost of tuition will decrease your options also. But selecting the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to home are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you need to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are considering to get those answers as well as others to help you assess and subsequently pick the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior designer program and college that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive assessment 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 organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are exceptional, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Lake Havasu City AZ employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate that interior designers get 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 college. And in some of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore besides furnishing an outstanding education, the Lake Havasu City AZ school you select should also furnish the appropriate training to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for Arizona or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some help in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It might also signify that the college has a significant network of Lake Havasu City AZ business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial aid departments for the Lake Havasu City AZ schools you are looking at and find out what type of support they provide. A number of interior design colleges offer financial aid to their new students. Some colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide support in obtaining grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Lake Havasu City AZ programs you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Lake Havasu City home, visit the college and attend a few classes. While there talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior design school you select offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Lake Havasu City AZ, confirm that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Learn More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in Lake Havasu City

Enroll in the Best Lake Havasu City Interior Design School

Choosing the right interior design program is a critical first step toward launching your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Locating a college where you will obtain your education and cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a daunting job no matter what field you have decided on. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are a number of things to consider before enrolling in 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 conduct your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Lake Havasu City Arizona.

 

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