Interior Designer Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Paradise Valley Arizona

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Paradise Valley AZ, it's time to start the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's important that you receive the proper training to put your skills to work. And since interior designers are licensed in a number of states, the school you select should prepare you to pass any required licensing test as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So it's very important you perform the proper research so that you can assess and compare each school that you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection. But just how do you undertake enrolling in the right program? Some future students will start their research by searching for interior design colleges near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation need to be considered also. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit about the degree and training choices are available.

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Interior Designer Degree Options

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to receive the training needed to begin your new profession in Paradise Valley AZ. Your selection will undoubtedly be driven by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose 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) exam required in several states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum amount of education required to enter the profession. They take about two years to complete and programs are available at many Arizona community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can usually obtain 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 cover the technical and creative components of the trade 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 two year programs furnish advanced training in design after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialized majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are largely for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are normally completed in three to five years.

To work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of professional experience may be needed before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

Interior Design Online Degree Programs

For individuals who wish to study in the convenience of their Paradise Valley AZ homes, there are accredited online interior design colleges. Attending classes online can be a great option for those students that are employed 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 colleges may be the sole alternative if no interior design schools are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Additional expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated also. Just make certain that the college you choose is accredited by a recognized 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 distance or online education. If you have the discipline to obtain your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design college may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Interior Designer Schools

Now that you have selected the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the campus must be within driving distance from your Paradise Valley AZ home. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your choices as well. But picking the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to home are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a list of concerns 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 select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior design college and program that you choose has earned accreditation from either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding assessment of their programs and teachers. Just verify that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Paradise Valley AZ employers will only hire 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 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 program. And in some of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore aside from providing an excellent education, the Paradise Valley AZ school you choose should also provide the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for Arizona or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will probably need some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its graduates are sought after. It may also indicate that the school has a large network of Paradise Valley AZ business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Paradise Valley AZ colleges you are evaluating and find out what type of aid they provide. Many of interior design programs offer financial aid to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a college 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 intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Paradise Valley AZ colleges you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Paradise Valley home, go to the college and monitor a couple of 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 backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior designer college you enroll in offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Paradise Valley AZ, make sure that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Paradise Valley

Enroll in the Best Paradise Valley Interior Design College

Selecting the right interior designer college is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and fulfilling profession. Finding a school where you will obtain your training and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting task no matter what major you have decided on. As with any endeavor to attain an advanced education, there are a number of things to think about before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design school are both accredited and highly respected in the field. It is still essential that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your drive to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Paradise Valley Arizona.

 

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