Interior Designer Degree
How to Select the Right One Near Paradise Valley Arizona

So it’s time to start the task of selecting an interior design school near Paradise Valley AZ once you have made a career choice to study to be an interior designer. It's important that you get the best available training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors. And since several states do require that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing examination also. So it's essential you carry out the proper research in order to analyze and compare each school that you are looking at prior to making your ultimate choice. But just where do you start? When looking for interior design programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit about the degree and training choices are available.

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Interior Design Degrees

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to obtain the training required to start your new profession in Paradise Valley AZ. Your selection will no doubt be motivated by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you decide to enroll in, make sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in several states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum level of training required to enter the profession. They take roughly 2 years to complete and programs are offered at a number of Arizona community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can usually qualify for entry level employment 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 technical and creative facets of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced training in design after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are mostly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are generally completed in three to five years.

To work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require 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 examination.

Online Interior Design Colleges

For those who wish to study in the convenience of their Paradise Valley AZ homes, there are online accredited interior design colleges. Studying online can be a great solution for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For many students online colleges may be the sole alternative if no interior design programs are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the school you choose is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. If you have the dedication to earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design program may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Colleges

After you have chosen the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the campus has to be within driving distance from your Paradise Valley AZ home. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your options as well. But selecting the cheapest school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you should consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the schools you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and ultimately pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior designer program and school that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive assessment of their programs and instructors. Just verify that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Paradise Valley AZ employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the School Prepare 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) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from providing an exceptional education, the Paradise Valley AZ college you select should also provide the proper education to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum licensing requirements for Arizona or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design profession and its students are in demand. It might also signify that the school has a significant network of Paradise Valley AZ business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Paradise Valley AZ colleges you are evaluating and ask what kind of support they offer. Many of interior designer colleges provide financial assistance to their new students. Certain colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in obtaining grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Paradise Valley AZ programs you are considering what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Paradise Valley home, visit the campus and sit in on a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior designer program you enroll in provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Paradise Valley AZ, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Paradise Valley

Choose the Best Paradise Valley Interior Design College

Picking the ideal interior design college is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Searching for a school where you will obtain your education and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting task regardless of what field you have decided on. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are a number of factors to think about before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. It is still important 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 evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right final selection. And with excellent training and your determination to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Paradise Valley Arizona.

 

Paradise Valley Interior Design Programs | Paradise Valley Interior Design Courses