Interior Designer Degree Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near East Chester New York

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design college near East Chester NY, it's time to begin the process of choosing a school. It's imperative 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 because interior designers must be licensed in several states, the school you choose should prep you to pass any required licensing exam and provide the proper training for your specialty. So it's essential you do the appropriate research in order to evaluate and compare each school that you are looking at before you make your final decision. But where do you start? When looking for interior design programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are important variables when making a determination, they should not be the only ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation need to be considered also. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are looking at 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 options are available.

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

Interior Design Compared to Interior Decoration

Some people mistake interior design for interior decoration and conversely. The key difference between them is the amount of education required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they have a general 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 Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make living or work areas functional as well as attractive. On various projects they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in East Chester NY may specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers frequently work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design basically any area of a house, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they can specialize in designing one particular room, for example kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Design. When dealing with commercial or public areas, designers frequently focus predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. For instance, business meeting rooms and reception areas are areas where aesthetics may be stressed over function. Designs for hospitals and banks may focus more on functionality over looks as the primary consideration.

There are various areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to 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 produce their visions. From selecting carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui concepts, East Chester NY interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that help bring about their ultimate creations.

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to acquire the training necessary to start your new career in East Chester NY. Your selection will no doubt be motivated by your career goals as well as the money and time that you have budgeted to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, be sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in a number of states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum amount of education required to enter the profession. They take about two years to complete and programs are available at a number of New York vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can usually obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that furnish more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical aspects of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced design training after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices 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 the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are primarily for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs vary in length but are normally completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be called for before an applicant can sit for the licensing examination.

Online Interior Designer Schools

For those who wish to study in the convenience of their East Chester NY homes, there are online accredited interior design programs. Studying online can be a good solution for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For some students online programs may be the only option if no interior design schools are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Additional costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be decreased or eliminated also. Just make certain that the program you choose is accredited by a respected accrediting organization, 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 education. If you have the discipline to acquire 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 Design Colleges

Once you have decided on the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the school has to be within commuting distance from your East Chester NY home. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will decrease your options as well. But picking the least expensive college or the one that is closest to home are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you should look at as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the colleges you are considering to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and ultimately select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior design college and program that you select has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just verify that both the degree program and the college 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 education are exceptional, it might also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of East Chester NY employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate 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 school. And in some of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to furnishing an excellent education, the East Chester NY college you choose should also furnish the suitable training 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? After you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It may also signify that the college has a large network of East Chester NY business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the East Chester NY colleges you are looking at and find out what type of support they offer. Many of interior designer colleges offer financial aid to their new students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the East Chester NY colleges you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your East Chester home, visit the school and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and ask 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 Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer college you select offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near East Chester NY, verify that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, check 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 East Chester

Enroll in the Right East Chester Interior Design College

Selecting the right interior design college is an important initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and fulfilling profession. Searching for a college where you will obtain your education and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult task no matter what major you have chosen. As with any endeavor to receive an advanced education, there are many factors to think about before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. It is still imperative that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal ultimate 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.

 

East Chester Interior Design Schools | East Chester Interior Design Programs