Interior Designer School
How to Choose the Best One Near Phoenix Arizona

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Phoenix AZ, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's imperative that you receive the right training to put your skills to work. And since some states do require that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing exam also. So in order to assess and compare each program you are considering prior to making your final decision it's essential that you do the proper research. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school? A number of future students will kick off their research by searching for interior design programs near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are key issues when making a determination, they should not be the sole ones. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will address those topics 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 talk a little bit about the degree and class options are offered.

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Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to obtain the training required to begin your new career in Phoenix AZ. Your selection will no doubt be influenced by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose to enroll in, make certain to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in a number of states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum level of education needed to enter the profession. They take roughly two years to complete and programs are available at many Arizona trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that supply more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover 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 secure an entry level position 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 specialty majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are largely for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs differ in length but are generally completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be required before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

Interior Design Online Courses

For individuals who wish to attend classes in the convenience of their Phoenix AZ homes, there are online accredited interior design schools. Studying online can be a good alternative for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For many students online schools may be the sole alternative 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 costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated as well. Just make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. If you have the discipline to obtain your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the perfect alternative for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Programs

When you have decided on the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of evaluating your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Phoenix AZ residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will limit your options also. But selecting the most affordable college or the one that is closest to home are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you need to consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below are a list of questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others in order to help you compare and ultimately pick the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior designer college and program that you enroll in has been accredited by 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). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their programs and teachers. Just make sure 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 confirm that the reputation of the school 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 Phoenix AZ employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Phoenix AZ college you enroll in should also provide the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for Arizona or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some help in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It might also signify that the school has a substantial network of Phoenix AZ business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Phoenix AZ schools you are reviewing and find out what kind of assistance they provide. Many of interior design colleges provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide help in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Phoenix AZ programs you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Phoenix home, visit the college and monitor a couple of classes. While there talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer program you choose offers classes the fit your busy 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 Phoenix AZ, make certain that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Find Out More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Phoenix

Choose the Best Phoenix Interior Design School

Choosing the right interior design school is a critical first step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Finding a school where you will obtain your training and cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a challenging task no matter what major you have selected. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are many factors to think about before selecting a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. It is still imperative that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design programs so that you can make the right final selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Phoenix Arizona.

 

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