Interior Designer Degree Program
How to Find the Best One Near Scottsdale Arizona

So it’s time to begin the process of selecting an interior design school near Scottsdale AZ now that you have made a career choice to become an interior designer. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's important that you obtain the proper training to put your skills to work. And since interior designers are licensed in several states, the school you select should prepare you to pass any required licensing exam and provide the necessary training for your specialty. So in order to evaluate and compare each college you are considering before you make your final decision it's essential that you do the proper research. But just how do you undertake finding the right school? When looking for interior design schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are key factors when making a determination, they are by no means the sole ones. There are various other considerations that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's talk 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 Compared to Interior Decoration

Often people confuse interior design for interior decoration and vice versa. The primary difference between the two is the level of education required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. On the other hand, doing business as an interior designer requires a formal education and in many states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or residential areas functional as well as attractive. On various occasions they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in Scottsdale AZ may specialize in:

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

There are numerous areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, such as lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. They have to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From picking wall paper and carpeting to including Feng shui principles, Scottsdale AZ interior designers implement a wide variety of skills that help bring about their final designs.

Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to receive the training needed to start your new profession in Scottsdale AZ. Your selection will undoubtedly be influenced by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, make sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in a number of states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum level of training needed to enter the profession. They take about two years to complete and programs are available at numerous Arizona vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can usually obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical facets of the business needed to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced design training after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialty majors in general areas such 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 want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are normally completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be called for before a candidate can take the licensing examination.

Interior Design Online Courses

For anyone wishing' to attend classes in the convenience of their Scottsdale AZ homes, there are accredited online interior design programs. Studying online can be a great alternative for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For a number of students online schools may be the sole option if no interior design schools are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more conventional options. Added expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the school you pick is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. If you have the dedication to earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design school may be the perfect alternative for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

After 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 an important factor, particularly if the college has to be within driving distance from your Scottsdale AZ home. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will decrease your choices as well. But selecting the least expensive school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you should consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a few concerns that you may want to ask the colleges you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and subsequently pick the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior design program and school that you choose has been accredited by 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 obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive evaluation of their programs and instructors. Just confirm 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 verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Scottsdale AZ employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some 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 school. And in some of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to providing an excellent education, the Scottsdale AZ school you enroll in should also provide the appropriate training to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum licensing requirements for Arizona or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will probably need some help in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It could also signify that the school has a sizable network of Scottsdale AZ business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Scottsdale AZ colleges you are reviewing and ask what kind of support they provide. Many of interior design colleges offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide help in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Scottsdale AZ programs you are reviewing what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Scottsdale home, go to the campus 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 philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design program you choose provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Scottsdale AZ, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Scottsdale

Enroll in the Best Scottsdale Interior Design College

Picking the ideal interior design college is an important first step toward launching your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Finding a school where you will receive your education and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a challenging task regardless of what major you have chosen. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are a number of things to think about before enrolling in a school, program, or course. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design school are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. It is still essential that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations 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 determination to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Scottsdale Arizona.

 

Scottsdale Interior Design Programs | Scottsdale Interior Design Courses