Interior Designer School
How to Find the Right One Near Denver Colorado

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design school near Denver CO, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's essential that you get the right training to put your talents to work. And because interior designers must be licensed in a number of states, the college you choose should prepare you to pass any required licensing test and provide the proper training for your specialty. So it's essential you perform the proper research so that you can assess and compare each school that you are considering before you make your ultimate choice. But exactly where do you start? Some prospective students will begin their research by searching for interior design colleges near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be considered also. We will discuss those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit about the degree and class alternatives are available.

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

Interior Designer Degrees

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to receive the training required to launch your new career in Denver CO. Your choice will no doubt be influenced by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose 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 mandated in a number of states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum level of training needed to enter the field. They take roughly two years to complete and programs are offered at many Colorado community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can normally qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative facets of the business needed to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs supply advanced training in design after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialized majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are largely for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are generally completed in three to five years.

To work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be needed before an applicant can sit for the licensing examination.

Interior Design Online Schools

For anyone wishing' to study in the convenience of their Denver CO homes, there are accredited online interior design degrees. Studying online can be an excellent solution for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For some students online programs 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. Additional expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated also. Just make sure that the program you select is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. If you have the dedication to earn your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design program may be the right alternative for you.

What to Ask Interior Design Colleges

After you have chosen the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of evaluating your college options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the school needs to be within commuting distance from your Denver CO home. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will limit your choices also. But picking the cheapest school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other things that you need to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a few questions that you may want to ask the programs you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you assess and subsequently choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior designer program and college that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just verify that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Denver CO employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do require that interior designers get 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 program. And in some of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required also. Therefore aside from providing an excellent education, the Denver CO college you enroll in should also provide the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for Colorado or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It may also signify that the school has a large network of Denver CO business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial aid offices for the Denver CO colleges you are reviewing and ask what type of aid they provide. A number of interior design schools offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Some schools provide partial scholarships while others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Denver CO schools you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Denver home, visit the college and attend a few classes. While there talk with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design program you choose provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Denver CO, make sure that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Denver

Choose the Best Denver Interior Design School

Choosing the right interior designer school is an important first step toward starting your career in this artistic and fulfilling occupation. Finding a school where you will obtain your education and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a challenging task no matter what major you have selected. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are several factors to consider before enrolling in a school, program, or course. At a minimum, verify that the program and design school are both accredited and highly respected in the business. It is still important that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Denver Colorado.

 

Denver Interior Design Degrees | Denver How To Become An Interior Designer