Interior Designer Degree Program
How to Select the Best One Near Douglaston New York

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Douglaston NY, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's important that you obtain the appropriate training to put your natural abilities to work. And since a number of states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing examination as well. So in order to analyze and compare each college you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision it's essential that you perform the proper due diligence. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program? When looking for interior design schools, many potential students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into consideration also. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training alternatives are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Often people confuse interior design for interior decoration and vice versa. The principal difference between the two is the amount of training required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. However, doing business as an interior designer requires formal training and in a number of states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make living or work spaces attractive as well as functional. On some projects they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are two broad areas that an interior designer in Douglaston NY can specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers frequently work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design essentially any room of the home, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one specific room, for instance bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When dealing with commercial or public areas, designers frequently focus primarily on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but pay attention to both. For instance, business reception areas and meeting rooms are areas where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for hospitals and banks might concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the main concern.

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

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to receive the training needed to begin your new profession in Douglaston NY. Your selection will no doubt be motivated by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, make certain to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in a number of states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum level of training required to enter the field. They take about 2 years to finish and programs are offered at many 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 furnish more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical facets of the business needed to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced design training after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are primarily for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs differ in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be needed before an applicant can take the licensing exam.

Interior Design Online Schools

For students who to attend classes in the comfort of their Douglaston NY homes, there are online accredited interior design classes. Studying online can be a good option for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For many students online programs may be the only alternative if no interior design colleges are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated also. Just make certain that the college you select is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, 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 education. If you have the discipline to earn your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design program may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Interior Design Colleges

After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of reviewing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the campus needs to be within commuting distance from your Douglaston NY residence. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will limit your options also. But selecting the least expensive school or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a few questions that you may want to address with the programs you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and ultimately select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior design school and program that you choose has been accredited by 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 earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous 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 acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Douglaston NY employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do require that interior designers become 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 college. And in some of those States calling for licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required also. So in addition to furnishing an exceptional education, the Douglaston NY school you choose should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for New York or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will probably need some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It might also indicate that the school has a substantial network of Douglaston NY business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Douglaston NY schools you are evaluating and ask what kind of support they offer. Many of interior design schools offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships and others provide help in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Douglaston NY schools you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Douglaston home, go to the school and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer program you choose provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Douglaston NY, verify that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Learn More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in Douglaston

Enroll in the Right Douglaston Interior Design College

Choosing the ideal interior design program is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this creative and fulfilling occupation. Searching for a school where you will obtain your education and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a daunting job regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to acquire an advanced education, there are a number of factors to think about before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. It is still important that you carry out your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the right ultimate selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Douglaston New York.

 

Douglaston Interior Design Schools | Douglaston Interior Design Programs