Interior Designer College
How to Find the Right One Near Scottsdale Arizona

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Scottsdale AZ, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's imperative that you obtain the right training to put your natural abilities to work. And since interior designers are licensed in several states, the college you choose should prepare you to pass any required licensing test and provide the necessary training for your specialty. So it's crucial you do the proper research so that you can evaluate and compare each program that you are reviewing before you make your ultimate selection. But where do you begin? Some prospective students will start their research by looking for interior design colleges near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into consideration also. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit about the degree and training options are offered.

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Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to obtain the training needed to start your new career in Scottsdale AZ. Your selection will undoubtedly be driven by your career objectives in addition to the money and time that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in a number of states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum level of training needed to enter the profession. They take approximately 2 years to complete and programs are available at numerous Arizona trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can commonly obtain 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 deal with the technical and creative aspects of the business required to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced training in design after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialized majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are mainly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs differ in length but are normally completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of field experience may be needed before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

Interior Design Online Courses

For those who wish to study in the comfort of their Scottsdale AZ homes, there are online accredited interior design degrees. Attending classes online can be a good solution for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For a number of students online schools may be the sole alternative if no interior design schools are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just make sure that the college you choose is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. If you have the discipline to acquire your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design college may be the perfect alternative for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Once you have chosen the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of reviewing your college options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the school has to be within commuting distance from your Scottsdale AZ residence. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will decrease your options also. But picking the cheapest college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a few questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and ultimately choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior design school and program that you select has earned accreditation from 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 undergone an extensive assessment of their instructors and programs. 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 establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when obtaining 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 programs for entry level positions.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States mandating licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore aside from furnishing an outstanding education, the Scottsdale AZ program you enroll in should also provide the proper education to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for Arizona or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will probably need some support 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 an excellent indication that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It could also indicate that the college has a sizable network of Scottsdale 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 assistance departments for the Scottsdale AZ schools you are looking at and find out what kind of support they provide. A number of interior design schools provide financial aid to their incoming students. Various schools provide partial scholarships and others provide help in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Scottsdale AZ schools you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Scottsdale home, go to the school and monitor a couple of classes. While there speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior designer school you choose provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Scottsdale AZ, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Scottsdale

Enroll in the Right Scottsdale Interior Design College

Picking the right interior designer school is a crucial initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Locating a college where you will obtain your education and cultivate your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging task regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to receive an advanced education, there are many points to consider before selecting a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the field. It is still essential 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 ideal ultimate selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Scottsdale Arizona.

 

Scottsdale Interior Design Courses | Scottsdale Interior Design Degrees