Interior Designer Course
How to Choose the Best One Near San Tan Valley Arizona

So it’s time to begin the task of selecting an interior design school near San Tan Valley AZ now that you have made a career decision to study to be an interior designer. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's important that you receive the right training to put your natural abilities to work. And since interior designers are licensed in several states, the college you select should prepare you to pass any required licensing exam as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So it's essential you do the appropriate research so that you can assess and compare each college that you are reviewing before you make your final choice. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school? When checking out interior design programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are relevant variables when making a determination, they should not be the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation need to be considered also. We will discuss those issues and other important 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 alternatives are available.

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Interior Designer Degree Options

There are four degree options available in interior design to get the training needed to launch your new career in San Tan Valley AZ. Your decision will undoubtedly be motivated by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you decide 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 mandated in several states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum amount of training required to enter the profession. They take approximately 2 years to complete and programs are available at a number of Arizona community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can normally obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical 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 job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced design training after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialized majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. 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 desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs vary in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of professional experience may be called for before an applicant can sit for the licensing examination.

Online Interior Design Colleges

For students who to study in the comfort of their San Tan Valley AZ homes, there are online accredited interior design degrees. Studying online can be a good alternative for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For a number of students online programs may be the only option if no interior design colleges are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more conventional options. Additional expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just make 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 obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the discipline to acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design school may be the right alternative for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Now that you have selected the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your college options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the school needs to be within driving distance from your San Tan Valley AZ home. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will decrease your choices as well. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to home are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should look at also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others to help you examine and subsequently select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to confirm that the interior designer program and school that you choose has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous evaluation 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many San Tan Valley AZ employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate that interior designers get 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 school. And in several of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required also. So aside from providing an exceptional education, the San Tan Valley AZ program you select should also provide the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for Arizona or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will probably want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It could also indicate that the college has a sizable network of San Tan Valley AZ business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the San Tan Valley AZ colleges you are reviewing and ask what type of support they offer. Many of interior designer programs offer financial assistance to their new students. Some schools offer 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 cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the San Tan Valley AZ programs you are reviewing what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your San Tan Valley home, visit the school and sit in on a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior design school you enroll in provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near San Tan Valley AZ, make certain that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in San Tan Valley

Choose the Best San Tan Valley Interior Design School

Selecting the right interior designer college is a crucial initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and gratifying profession. Searching for a college where you will receive your training and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a challenging task regardless of what major you have chosen. As with any undertaking to attain an advanced education, there are many factors to consider before selecting a program, course or school. At a minimum, make sure that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. It is still important that you conduct your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design schools so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with quality training and your drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in San Tan Valley Arizona.

 

San Tan Valley Interior Design Schools | San Tan Valley Interior Design Programs