Interior Designer Course
How to Pick 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. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's essential that you receive the proper training to put your skills to work. And because interior designers must be licensed in several states, the college you select should prepare you to pass any required licensing test as well as provide the necessary training for your specialty. So in order to analyze and compare each program you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection it's very important that you carry out the appropriate research. But just how do you undertake finding the right school? When looking for interior design schools, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are relevant issues when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training choices are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Some people confuse interior decoration for interior design and vice versa. The primary difference between the two is the amount of training required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. However, conducting business as an interior designer requires a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or living spaces functional as well as attractive. On various occasions they may collaborate with architects and building engineers. There are two general areas that an interior designer in Prescott Valley AZ can specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers often work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any room of the home, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one specific room, such as kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Design. When dealing with public or commercial spaces, designers normally concentrate primarily on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. For example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are areas where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for banks and hospitals may concentrate more on functionality over looks as the main consideration.

There are numerous areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, including color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. Designers must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From selecting wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui principles, Prescott Valley AZ interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that contribute to their final designs.

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to receive the training required to launch your new career in Prescott Valley AZ. Your selection will undoubtedly be motivated by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have 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 mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in several states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum level of training needed to enter the field. They take approximately 2 years to finish and programs are offered at numerous Arizona trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can commonly qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that furnish more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical components of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a college graduate 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 the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are mainly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are generally 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 degree programs become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be required before an applicant can sit for the licensing examination.

Online Interior Designer Classes

For anyone wishing' to study in the convenience of their Prescott Valley AZ homes, there are accredited online interior design programs. Attending classes online can be a great solution for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For many students online programs may be the sole alternative if no interior design schools are within driving 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 decreased or eliminated also. Just be sure that the school you pick is accredited by a respected accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the discipline to obtain your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design school may be the ideal alternative for you.

What to Ask Interior Design Programs

Now that you have chosen the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of evaluating your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the college must be within driving distance from your Prescott Valley AZ home. Obviously if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will decrease your options as well. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the colleges you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and subsequently pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior designer program and school that you enroll in has been accredited by 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). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding assessment of their programs and instructors. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Prescott Valley AZ employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore aside from furnishing an excellent education, the Prescott Valley AZ program you choose 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 working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some help in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It may also indicate that the school has a large network of Prescott Valley AZ business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Prescott Valley AZ colleges you are evaluating and find out what kind of aid they offer. A number of interior designer programs provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide help in acquiring grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Prescott Valley AZ programs you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Prescott Valley home, visit 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 philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior designer college you choose offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Prescott Valley AZ, make sure that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Prescott Valley

Enroll in the Right Prescott Valley Interior Design School

Selecting the right interior design college is an important initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Locating a college where you will obtain your training and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a difficult job no matter what major you have chosen. As with any endeavor to acquire an advanced education, there are a number of points to consider before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the field. 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 review and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Prescott Valley Arizona.

 

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