Interior Designer College
How to Pick the Right One Near College Point New York

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design college near College Point NY, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. It's imperative that you get the appropriate training to put your skills to work, even if you have always had a knack for designing residential or commercial interiors. And since some states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing examination also. So it's vital you carry out the appropriate research so that you can assess and compare each school that you are considering before you make your final selection. But just how do you approach finding the right school? When checking out interior design schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are important variables when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation should be considered as well. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit about the degree and class choices are available.

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

Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to acquire the training necessary to begin your new profession in College Point NY. Your selection will no doubt be influenced by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, be sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in a number of states. More will be addressed 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 supply the minimum level of education needed to enter the profession. They take approximately 2 years to complete and programs are offered at numerous New York community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can usually qualify for entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that provide more in depth 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 college graduate in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs provide advanced training in design after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices 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 degrees are primarily for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs vary in length but are typically completed in three to five years.

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

Online Interior Designer Schools

For anyone wishing' to attend classes in the comfort of their College Point NY homes, there are accredited online interior design colleges. Studying online can be a great solution for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For many students online colleges may be the only option if no interior design programs are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Additional costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated also. Just be sure that the college you choose is accredited by a respected 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 education. If you have the dedication to obtain your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design program may be the perfect alternative for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Schools

When you have chosen the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your College Point NY residence. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will narrow down your options also. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to home are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should look at also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a few concerns that you may want to ask the programs you are considering to get those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and subsequently select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior designer college and program that you select has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just confirm 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 establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of College Point NY employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. So besides furnishing an exceptional education, the College Point NY college you choose should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum licensing requirements 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 designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some support in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It could also signify that the school has a substantial network of College Point NY business connections where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial assistance offices for the College Point NY schools you are evaluating and ask what type of support they offer. Many of interior designer programs provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships and others provide help in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the College Point NY programs you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your College Point home, visit the campus and attend a few classes. While there speak with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer school you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near College Point NY, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an option also. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Learn More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in College Point

Choose the Best College Point Interior Design School

Selecting the right interior designer program is a critical initial step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding profession. Finding a school where you will obtain your education and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult job no matter what major you have chosen. As with any endeavor to acquire an advanced education, there are several things to consider before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design college are both accredited and highly respected in the field. It is still imperative that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in College Point New York.

 

College Point Interior Design Degrees | College Point How To Become An Interior Designer