Interior Designer School
How to Find the Right 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 study to be an interior designer. It's imperative that you get the best available training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a knack for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since interior designers are licensed in a number of states, the school you choose should prepare you to pass any required licensing test as well as provide the necessary training for your specialty. So in order to evaluate and compare each program you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection it's essential that you perform the proper research. But just where do you begin? Many potential students will begin their research by searching for interior design schools near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will address those topics and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are interested in in more detail below. 

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

Questions to Ask Interior Design Schools

Once you have selected the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your Scottsdale AZ home. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will narrow down your choices also. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a few questions that you may want to ask the programs you are considering to get those answers as well as others to help you examine and ultimately select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's necessary to confirm that the interior designer school and program 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 receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive 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 confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Scottsdale AZ employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States calling for licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from providing an excellent education, the Scottsdale AZ college you select should also provide the proper education to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for Arizona or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will probably want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It may also signify that the college has a substantial network of Scottsdale AZ business connections where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Scottsdale AZ colleges you are reviewing and ask what kind of support they provide. Many of interior designer schools provide financial assistance to their new students. Various schools provide partial scholarships while others provide help in acquiring federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Scottsdale AZ programs you are considering what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Scottsdale home, visit the school and attend a few classes. While there talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design school you select offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Scottsdale AZ, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Scottsdale

Enroll in the Right Scottsdale Interior Design College

Selecting the ideal interior designer school is a critical initial step toward starting your career in this creative and gratifying profession. Searching for a college where you will receive your training and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a challenging task no matter what major you have chosen. As with any undertaking to acquire a higher education, there are a number of points to consider before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. It is still essential that you carry out your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right ultimate selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Scottsdale Arizona.

 

Scottsdale Interior Design Schools | Scottsdale Interior Design Programs