Interior Designer School
How to Pick the Best One Near East Chester New York

So it’s time to start the task of choosing an interior design school near East Chester NY once you have made a career decision to become an interior designer. 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 because interior designers are licensed in several states, the college you select should prepare you to pass any required licensing test as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So it's very important you do the proper research so that you can analyze and compare each program that you are reviewing prior to making your final selection. But exactly where do you begin? Some future students will launch their research by searching for interior design schools near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will address those topics and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit about the degree and class options are offered.

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Interior Designer Degree Options

There are four degree options available in interior design to get the training needed to begin your new career in East Chester NY. Your decision will no doubt be motivated by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required 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 offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum level of training needed to enter the field. They take approximately two years to finish and programs are offered at a number of New York trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that deliver more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical components of the business needed to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced training in design after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are mainly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs vary in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required before a candidate can sit for the licensing exam.

Interior Designer Online Schools

For those who wish to study in the comfort of their East Chester NY homes, there are online accredited interior design classes. Studying online can be an excellent alternative 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 home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For some students online schools may be the only option if no interior design schools are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more conventional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just make sure that the college you choose 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 online or distance education. If you have the discipline to earn your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design school may be the ideal alternative for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Once you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of assessing your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the campus needs to be within commuting distance from your East Chester NY home. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should look at as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the programs you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you examine and subsequently select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to confirm that the interior design college and program that you select has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding assessment of their programs and teachers. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many East Chester NY employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States mandating licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required also. Therefore besides furnishing an excellent education, the East Chester NY program you select should also provide the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum requirements for licensing for New York or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It might also signify that the school has a significant network of East Chester NY business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the East Chester NY colleges you are looking at and ask what type of assistance they provide. A number of interior designer schools provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Some schools provide partial scholarships while others provide help in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the East Chester NY programs you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your East Chester home, visit the school and attend a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak 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 Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior design program you select offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near East Chester NY, confirm that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Learn More About How to Become an Interior Designer in East Chester

Enroll in the Right East Chester Interior Design School

Picking the right interior design program is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Locating a college where you will obtain your education and cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a challenging job no matter what major you have selected. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are several factors to consider before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design college are both accredited and highly respected in the business. It is still important that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in East Chester New York.

 

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