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Interior Designer Degree Program
How to Select the Right One Near Bay Shore New York

Bay Shore New York modern interior designed office meeting roomOnce you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Bay Shore NY, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. It's imperative that you get the appropriate training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors. And since interior designers must be licensed in several states, the school you choose should prepare you to pass any required licensing test as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So in order to assess and compare each program you are reviewing before you make your final choice it's vital that you do the proper research. But just how do you undertake enrolling in the right program? Some potential students will kick off their research by searching for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are important factors when making a decision, they are by no means the only ones. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training alternatives are available.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Bay Shore New York interior designed living room with piano

Some people mistake interior decoration for interior design and conversely. The principal difference between them is the amount of training required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior spaces. However, working as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make living or work areas functional as well as attractive. On many occasions they may work together with architects and building engineers. There are two general categories that an interior designer in Bay Shore NY may specialize in:

  • Residential Design. Interior Designers often work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any room of a house, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they can specialize in designing one particular room, for instance bathrooms or kitchens.
  • Commercial Designing. When working on public or commercial areas, designers frequently concentrate primarily on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but take notice of both. For example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are areas where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for banks and hospitals 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. Designers must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From picking carpeting and wall paper to incorporating Feng shui concepts, Bay Shore NY interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that contribute to their ultimate creations.

Interior Design Degree Options

Bay Shore New York spacious interior designed kitchen

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to acquire the training necessary to launch your new profession in Bay Shore NY. Your decision will undoubtedly be motivated by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you decide to enroll in, make certain to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in several states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

  • Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum amount of training needed to enter the field. They take roughly 2 years to finish and programs are available at many New York community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can commonly qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
  • Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that furnish more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical components of the business needed to become a designer. They are the lowest 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 acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialized 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. Doctorate programs 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.

To work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be called for before a candidate can sit for the licensing exam.

Online Interior Designer Schools

Bay Shore New York woman taking interior design courses onlineFor students who to attend classes in the comfort of their Bay Shore NY homes, there are accredited online interior design colleges. Attending classes online can be a great alternative for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For some students online schools may be the only alternative if no interior design programs are within commuting 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 decreased or eliminated also. Just be sure that the college you enroll in is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency, 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 distance or online learning. If you have the discipline to obtain your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design program may be the perfect option for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Designer Schools

When you have chosen the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your college options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the school has to be within driving distance from your Bay Shore NY home. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But selecting the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you need to look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the programs you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you examine and ultimately select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior design school and program that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through 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 exceptional, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Bay Shore NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do require 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 college. And in some of those States calling for licensing, a minimum of 2 years of professional experience may be required also. So besides furnishing an exceptional education, the Bay Shore NY program you select should also furnish the proper education to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for New York 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 want some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It could also indicate that the college has a sizable network of Bay Shore NY business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial aid departments for the Bay Shore NY schools you are reviewing and ask what kind of assistance they offer. A number of interior designer programs offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in acquiring grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Bay Shore NY programs you are reviewing what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Bay Shore home, go to the school and monitor a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some 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? Finally, make sure that the interior design program you select provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Bay Shore NY, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Find Out More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in Bay Shore

Enroll in the Right Bay Shore Interior Design College

Picking the ideal interior designer program is an important initial step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding profession. Finding a college where you will receive your education and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult task regardless of what field you have chosen. As with any endeavor to receive an advanced education, there are several points to consider before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, check that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the field. 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 properly assess and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Bay Shore New York.





 

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