Interior Designer Degree Program
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Bronx New York

So it’s time to start the task of selecting an interior design school near Bronx NY now that you have made a career decision to become an interior designer. It's important that you get the best available training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since several states do require that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing exam also. So it's crucial you perform the proper research in order to analyze and compare each school that you are considering before you make your ultimate selection. But just how do you undertake finding the right school? When looking for interior design schools, many potential students start 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 determination, they should not be the only ones. There are several other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training choices are offered.

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Interior Design Compared to Interior Decoration

Many people mistake interior decoration for interior design and vice versa. The main difference between them is the level of training required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, working as an interior designer requires a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or living spaces attractive as well as functional. On some occasions they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in Bronx NY can specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers typically work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design essentially any area of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one particular room, for instance kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Designing. When working on commercial or public areas, designers frequently concentrate primarily on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but take notice of both. As an example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are areas where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for banks and hospitals may focus more on functionality over appearance as the main consideration.

There are several areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, such as color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. They need to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From choosing carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui principles, Bronx NY interior designers utilize a wide range of skills that contribute to their final creations.

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to receive the training required to start your new profession in Bronx NY. Your decision will no doubt be driven by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have to devote to your education. But no matter 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 required in some states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum level of education needed to enter the field. They take roughly 2 years to finish and programs are available at numerous New York trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can normally qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover 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 job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced training in design after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialty majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are largely for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

Interior Designer Online Courses

For individuals who wish to attend classes in the convenience of their Bronx NY homes, there are online accredited interior design classes. Studying online can be an excellent option for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For some students online colleges may be the only alternative if no interior design colleges are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Added expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be decreased or eliminated also. Just make sure that the program you select is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. If you have the dedication to obtain your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design college may be the perfect option for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Schools

After you have decided on the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the school has to be within driving distance from your Bronx NY home. Obviously if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will limit your choices as well. But choosing the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are looking at to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you examine and ultimately choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior designer school and program that you select has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Bronx NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required also. Therefore aside from furnishing an exceptional education, the Bronx NY college you choose should also furnish the proper education to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for New York or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It might also signify that the school has a substantial network of Bronx NY business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial aid departments for the Bronx NY colleges you are reviewing and find out what kind of aid they provide. A number of interior design programs provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in acquiring federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that choosing 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 Large are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Bronx NY programs you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Bronx home, visit the college and monitor a few classes. While there talk with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior designer college 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 in the evening or on weekends near Bronx NY, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Bronx

Choose the Right Bronx Interior Design College

Choosing the ideal interior design college is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this creative and gratifying occupation. Searching for a school where you will receive your training and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a challenging job no matter what field you have decided on. As with any endeavor to receive an advanced education, there are a number of things to consider before selecting a course, program or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design college are both accredited and highly regarded in the field. It is still essential that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design programs so that you can make the right ultimate selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Bronx New York.

 

Bronx Interior Design Courses Online | Bronx Interior Design Degrees Online