Interior Designer Degree Program
How to Select the Right One Near Prescott Arizona

So it’s time to start the task of picking an interior design school near Prescott AZ once you have made a career choice to study to be an interior designer. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's imperative that you get the right training to put your talents to work. And because interior designers are licensed in a number of states, the school you select should prepare you to pass any required licensing test and provide the necessary training for your specialty. So in order to analyze and compare each program you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision it's essential that you carry out the appropriate research. But just how do you undertake enrolling in the right school? When checking out interior design schools, the majority of students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest 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. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into consideration also. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit about the degree and class options are offered.

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Interior Designer Degree Options

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to receive the training needed to begin your new career in Prescott AZ. Your decision will undoubtedly be driven by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, make certain to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in some states. More will be covered 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 required to enter the profession. They take approximately 2 years to finish and programs are available at numerous 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 extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical aspects of the trade needed 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 furnish advanced training in design after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are mostly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs vary in length but are typically completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be needed before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Online Interior Design Colleges

For individuals who wish to study in the comfort of their Prescott AZ homes, there are online accredited interior design programs. Attending classes online can be a great option for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For many students online colleges may be the only alternative if no interior design colleges are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the program you choose is accredited by a highly regarded 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 earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design college may be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Schools

After you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of assessing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the campus has to be within driving distance from your Prescott AZ residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will decrease your options as well. But choosing the most affordable college or the one that is closest to home are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you should consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the schools you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others to help you compare and ultimately select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior design program and school that you choose has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive assessment of their programs and teachers. Just confirm 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 verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are outstanding, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Prescott AZ employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the College Ready 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, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. So in addition to furnishing an exceptional education, the Prescott AZ college you enroll in should also furnish the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Arizona or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its students are in demand. It might also indicate that the school has a substantial network of Prescott AZ business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the Prescott AZ schools you are looking at and ask what type of assistance they offer. A number of interior design programs provide financial assistance to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide help in obtaining federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Prescott AZ programs you are considering what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Prescott home, visit the college and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior design program you select provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Prescott AZ, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Prescott

Choose the Right Prescott Interior Design College

Picking the ideal interior designer program is an important initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Locating a school where you will obtain your training and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting task no matter what field you have decided on. As with any undertaking to receive a higher education, there are a number of things to consider before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design school are both accredited and highly regarded in the field. It is still imperative that you carry out your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with excellent training and your determination to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Prescott Arizona.

 

Prescott Interior Design Degrees | Prescott How To Become An Interior Designer