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

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design school near Prescott Valley AZ, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. It's important that you get the best available training to put your skills to work, even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors. And since some states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's vital you carry out the appropriate research in order to analyze and compare each college that you are considering prior to making your ultimate choice. But just how do you go about finding the right school? When looking for interior design schools, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into account as well. We will address those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training alternatives are available.

IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN CAREER BELOW!

Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Many people confuse interior decoration for interior design and conversely. The primary distinction between the two is the level of education required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, doing business as an interior designer requires formal training and in many states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make living or work spaces attractive as well as functional. On some projects they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad areas that an interior designer in Prescott Valley AZ can specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers frequently work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design essentially any room of the home, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one particular room, for example bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When working on public or commercial areas, designers frequently focus predominantly on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but take notice of both. For example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are areas where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for hospitals and banks might concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the primary concern.

There are numerous areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, including lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. Designers have to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to including Feng shui principles, Prescott Valley AZ interior designers utilize a wide range of skills that help bring about their ultimate creations.

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are four degree options offered in interior design to get the training necessary to begin your new career in Prescott Valley AZ. Your choice will undoubtedly be influenced by your career objectives as well as the time and money that you have budgeted to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is required 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. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum amount of education required to enter the field. They take about two years to finish and programs are available at a number of Arizona community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can usually 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 cover the technical and creative aspects of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level position 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 alternatives in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are largely for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are normally 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, two or more years of professional experience may be needed before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

Interior Designer Online Classes

For anyone wishing' to study in the comfort of their Prescott Valley AZ homes, there are accredited online interior design classes. Attending classes online can be a good solution for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For some students online schools may be the sole option if no interior design programs are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Additional costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be decreased or eliminated also. Just make certain that the college you choose is accredited by a respected accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. If you have the dedication to obtain your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design school may be the perfect option for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

When you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of assessing your college options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the college has to be within commuting distance from your Prescott Valley AZ home. Naturally if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will decrease your choices as well. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to look at also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and subsequently select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior design program and school that you choose has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding assessment of their programs and teachers. 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 confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many Prescott Valley AZ employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require 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 mandating licensing, a minimum of 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Prescott Valley AZ program you enroll in should also furnish the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum requirements for licensing for Arizona or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some help in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It might also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Prescott Valley AZ business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial aid departments for the Prescott Valley AZ colleges you are reviewing and find out what type of aid they offer. Many of interior designer schools provide financial aid to their incoming students. Some colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide help in acquiring grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Prescott Valley AZ colleges you are considering what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Prescott Valley home, go to the college and monitor a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk 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? Last, make certain that the interior designer program you select offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Prescott Valley AZ, make sure that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Prescott Valley

Enroll in the Best Prescott Valley Interior Design College

Choosing the right interior designer school is a crucial first step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Finding a college where you will receive your training and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a daunting job no matter what major you have selected. As with any endeavor to attain an advanced education, there are many factors to think about before selecting a program, course or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design college are both accredited and highly respected in the field. It is still important that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to properly 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 achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Prescott Valley Arizona.

 

Prescott Valley Interior Design Programs | Prescott Valley Interior Design Courses