Interior Designer School
How to Select the Best One Near Bayside New York

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design degree program near Bayside NY, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. It's imperative 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 a number of states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's crucial you carry out the proper research so that you can assess and compare each program that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision. But just how do you approach finding the right school? Many prospective students will start their research by looking for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition costs. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit about the degree and training options are available.

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Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to receive the training needed to begin your new career in Bayside NY. Your choice will no doubt be driven by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose to enroll in, be sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in some states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum level of education required to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to finish and programs are offered at numerous New York trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can typically obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical facets of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced training in design after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives 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 the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are mainly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs differ in length but are generally completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order 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 several instances, two or more years of field experience may be needed before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Interior Design Online Degree Programs

For those who wish to attend classes in the comfort of their Bayside NY homes, there are accredited online interior design colleges. Attending classes online can be a great solution for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For some students online colleges may be the only alternative if no interior design programs are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be decreased or eliminated also. Just make certain that the school you select is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. If you have the discipline to acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design school may be the perfect alternative for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Programs

Now that you have selected the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of evaluating your college options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Bayside NY home. Of course if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will decrease your choices also. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to home are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you need to consider as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a few concerns that you may want to address with the schools you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others to help you assess and subsequently choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior designer program and school that you select has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding assessment of their programs and instructors. Just make sure 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 verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Bayside NY employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required as well. So aside from furnishing an excellent education, the Bayside NY school you enroll in should also furnish the proper training to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for New York or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some help in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It might also indicate that the school has a substantial network of Bayside NY business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Bayside NY schools you are looking at and ask what kind of aid they provide. A number of interior design colleges offer financial aid to their new students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Bayside NY schools you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Bayside home, go to the school and monitor a couple of 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 experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design program you enroll in provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Bayside NY, make certain that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative as well. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Bayside

Enroll in the Best Bayside Interior Design School

Choosing the right interior designer program is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this creative and gratifying occupation. Finding a college where you will receive your education and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult job no matter what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are several factors to think about before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, verify that the program and design college are both accredited and highly respected in the profession. It is still important that you carry out your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Bayside New York.

 

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