Interior Designer Course
How to Pick the Best One Near Tucson Arizona

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design school near Tucson AZ, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. It's important that you get the best available training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors. And since interior designers are licensed in several states, the school you select should prep you to pass any required licensing test as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So in order to analyze and compare each college you are reviewing before you make your ultimate selection it's very important that you carry out the proper research. But where do you begin? When checking out interior design schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are relevant factors when making a decision, they should not be the sole ones. There are several other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class alternatives are available.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Often people confuse interior decoration for interior design and conversely. The primary distinction between the two is the amount of training required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, conducting business as an interior designer requires formal training and in many states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or residential spaces functional as well as attractive. On many projects they may work together with architects and building engineers. There are two broad categories that an interior designer in Tucson AZ may specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers typically work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design basically any area of a house, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they may specialize in designing one particular room, for example kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Designing. When dealing with public or commercial areas, designers normally focus predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. For example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are spaces where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for hospitals and banks may focus more on functionality over looks as the primary concern.

There are many areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, for example lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. They need to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From selecting carpeting and wall paper to incorporating Feng shui principles, Tucson AZ interior designers implement a wide range of skills that contribute to their final creations.

Interior Design Degrees

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to acquire the training necessary to launch your new career in Tucson AZ. Your selection will no doubt be motivated by your career objectives in addition to the money and time that you have to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make certain to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in some states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum level of education needed to enter the field. They take approximately two years to finish and programs are offered at numerous Arizona trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can usually obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical facets of the business needed to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced training in design after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialty majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are mainly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are normally completed in three to five years.

In order to work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of professional experience may be needed before an applicant can sit for the licensing examination.

Online Interior Designer Colleges

For anyone wishing' to attend classes in the convenience of their Tucson AZ homes, there are accredited online interior design classes. Attending classes online can be an excellent 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 many students online schools may be the only alternative if no interior design programs are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional 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 choose is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency, 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 distance or online education. If you have the dedication to acquire your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design school may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Schools

Once you have chosen the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the school has to be within commuting distance from your Tucson AZ home. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will decrease your options as well. But picking the most affordable school or the one that is closest to your house are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you need to consider as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are looking at to get those answers as well as others to help you compare and ultimately choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior design school and program 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 undergone a rigorous evaluation of their programs and instructors. Just verify that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many Tucson AZ employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some 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 several of those States mandating licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore aside from furnishing an exceptional education, the Tucson AZ school you select should also furnish the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for Arizona or the State where you will be working.

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 position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job placement 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 sought after. It could also indicate that the school has a large network of Tucson AZ business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial aid offices for the Tucson AZ colleges you are evaluating and find out what type of aid they offer. A number of interior designer programs provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Tucson AZ colleges you are looking at what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Tucson home, go to the school and sit in on a few classes. While there speak with some students and find out 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, verify that the interior designer college you choose offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Tucson AZ, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Learn More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in Tucson

Choose the Right Tucson Interior Design College

Selecting the right interior design program is a crucial first step toward launching your career in this artistic and gratifying profession. Locating a school where you will obtain your training and cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a daunting job no matter what major you have selected. As with any endeavor to attain a higher education, there are a number of factors 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 profession. It is still essential that you carry out your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with superior training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Tucson Arizona.

 

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