Interior Designer Degree Program
How to Find the Best One Near College Point New York

So it’s time to start the process of selecting an interior design school near College Point NY now that you have made a career choice to study to be an interior designer. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's important that you get the appropriate training to put your talents to work. And since interior designers must be licensed in several states, the college you choose should prep you to pass any required licensing exam and provide the proper training for your specialty. So it's very important you carry out the appropriate research in order to evaluate and compare each program that you are looking at before you make your ultimate choice. But just where do you begin? When checking out interior design programs, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit about the degree and training alternatives are available.

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Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to obtain the training necessary to begin your new career in College Point NY. Your choice will undoubtedly be influenced by your career goals as well as the money and time that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make certain to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in a number of states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum level of training required to enter the profession. They take roughly two years to finish and programs are offered at numerous New York community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that deliver more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative components of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced design training after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialized majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of 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 college or university level. The programs differ in length but are generally completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of professional experience may be required before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

Interior Designer Online Colleges

For those who wish to study in the convenience of their College Point NY homes, there are accredited online interior design degrees. Attending classes online can be an excellent solution for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For many students online programs may be the sole 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 costs for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated as well. Just make sure that the program you pick is accredited by a respected accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. If you have the discipline to obtain your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design school may be the ideal alternative for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Now that you have selected the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your College Point NY home. Naturally if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will limit your choices as well. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is closest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you should consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the schools you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and ultimately select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to confirm that the interior designer college 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). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive assessment of their instructors and programs. Just verify 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 confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many College Point NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from providing an exceptional education, the College Point NY program you select should also furnish the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for New York or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will probably want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It might also indicate that the school has a substantial network of College Point NY business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the College Point NY colleges you are evaluating and ask what type of assistance they offer. A number of interior designer programs offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Some schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the College Point NY colleges you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your College Point home, visit the college and sit in on a few classes. While there speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design program you select provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near College Point NY, confirm that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, ask 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 College Point

Enroll in the Right College Point Interior Design College

Picking the ideal interior designer college is an important first step toward launching your career in this artistic and fulfilling occupation. Finding a college where you will obtain your training and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging job no matter what field you have decided on. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are several factors to think about before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design school are both accredited and highly regarded in the field. It is still important that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with superior training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in College Point New York.

 

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