Interior Designer Course
How to Find the Best One Near Greenlawn New York

So it’s time to start the process of choosing an interior design school near Greenlawn NY now that you have made a career choice to study to be an interior designer. It's important that you get the best available training to put your skills to work, even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since interior designers are licensed in a number of states, the college you select should prepare you to pass any required licensing test and provide the proper training for your specialty. So in order to assess and compare each program you are considering prior to making your final decision it's crucial that you carry out the appropriate due diligence. But just how do you approach finding the right program? Many potential students will launch their research by searching for interior design schools near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are key variables when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into consideration also. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are reviewing 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 obtain the training necessary to start your new profession in Greenlawn NY. Your choice will no doubt be driven by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, be sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in a number of states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum amount of training needed to enter the field. They take roughly two years to finish and programs are available at many 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 provide more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative components of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced design training after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialty majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are largely for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs vary in length but are usually completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be called for before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Online Interior Designer Schools

For anyone wishing' to study in the comfort of their Greenlawn NY homes, there are online accredited interior design colleges. Attending classes online can be a great solution for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For many students online schools may be the only alternative if no interior design schools are within driving 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 reduced or eliminated as well. Just make sure that the college you select is accredited by a respected accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also obtain 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 confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design college may be the right alternative for you.

What to Ask Interior Designer Programs

When you have decided on the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the college needs to be within driving distance from your Greenlawn NY home. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But picking the cheapest school or the one that is closest to your house are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to look at also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the schools you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and subsequently select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior designer school and program that you select has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their programs and instructors. 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 college and the quality of the education are excellent, it might also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Greenlawn NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges 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 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 some of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to furnishing an outstanding education, the Greenlawn NY program you choose should also furnish the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for New York or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication 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 signify that the school has a sizable network of Greenlawn NY business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Greenlawn NY schools you are reviewing and ask what type of aid they provide. A number of interior designer programs provide financial aid to their incoming students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide support in securing federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Greenlawn NY colleges you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Greenlawn home, visit the school and attend a few classes. While there speak with some 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 Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer program you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Greenlawn NY, make certain that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Learn More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Greenlawn

Choose the Right Greenlawn Interior Design College

Selecting the right interior design school is an important initial step toward launching your career in this creative and rewarding profession. Finding a school where you will receive your training and cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a daunting job no matter what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to acquire an advanced education, there are several points to consider before selecting a course, program or school. At a minimum, confirm that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the field. It is still imperative that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Greenlawn New York.

 

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