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Interior Designer College
How to Select the Best One Near Oro Valley Arizona

Oro Valley Arizona spacious interior designed conference roomOnce you have decided to enroll in an interior design school near Oro Valley AZ, it's time to start the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's imperative that you obtain the proper training to put your skills to work. And since a number of states do require that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing exam as well. So in order to assess and compare each program you are reviewing before you make your final selection it's crucial that you carry out the proper due diligence. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program? When looking for interior design programs, the majority of students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation must be taken into consideration also. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit about the degree and class alternatives are offered.

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Interior Designer Degree Programs

Oro Valley Arizona spacious interior designed kitchen with hanging lights

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to acquire the training necessary to launch your new profession in Oro Valley AZ. Your choice will no doubt be influenced by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make certain to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in some states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

  • Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum amount of training required to enter the profession. They take about two years to finish and programs are offered at a number of Arizona vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
  • Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that furnish more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical facets of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
  • Master's Degree. These two year programs provide advanced training in design after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
  • Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are largely for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be needed before a candidate can sit for the licensing exam.

Online Interior Designer Degree Programs

Oro Valley Arizona woman taking interior design courses onlineFor students who to attend classes in the convenience of their Oro Valley AZ homes, there are online accredited interior design colleges. Studying online can be an excellent solution for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For many students online programs may be the sole alternative if no interior design colleges are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Added costs for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated also. Just make sure that the college you select is accredited by a respected accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs 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 structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Schools

After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the campus needs to be within commuting distance from your Oro Valley AZ home. Naturally if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will limit your options also. But selecting the cheapest college or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are looking at to get those answers as well as others to help you assess and subsequently choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior design school and program that you select has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous assessment of their programs and instructors. 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 verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are exceptional, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Oro Valley AZ employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore besides furnishing an excellent education, the Oro Valley AZ school you enroll in should also furnish the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy 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 probably want some support in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It may also signify that the school has a sizable network of Oro Valley AZ business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Oro Valley AZ colleges you are evaluating and find out what kind of assistance they provide. A number of interior design colleges offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships and others provide assistance in acquiring federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Oro Valley AZ colleges you are reviewing what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Oro Valley home, go to the college and monitor a few classes. While there speak with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior design college you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Oro Valley AZ, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Oro Valley

Enroll in the Right Oro Valley Interior Design College

Choosing the ideal interior designer college is an important first step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Finding a college where you will obtain your training and cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a daunting 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 enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design college are both accredited and highly regarded in the field. It is still important that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with quality training and your drive to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Oro Valley Arizona.





 

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