Interior Designer Degree
How to Pick the Best One Near Greenlawn New York

So it’s time to begin the process of picking an interior design school near Greenlawn NY now that you have made a career decision to become an interior designer. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's imperative that you get the right training to put your skills to work. And because interior designers are licensed in a number of states, the school you select should prepare you to pass any required licensing test as well as provide the necessary training for your specialty. So it's vital you do the proper research so that you can assess and compare each college that you are reviewing before you make your final selection. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right school? A number of prospective students will launch their research by searching for interior design schools near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. However, a school is not always the best option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will address those topics 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 cover a little bit about the degree and training choices are offered.

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Interior Designer Degree Options

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to obtain the training required to launch your new career in Greenlawn NY. Your decision will no doubt be influenced by your career objectives 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 needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in a number of states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum level of education required to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to finish and programs are offered at a number of New York trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can usually obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that supply more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative facets of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest degree 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 design training after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialty majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral 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 normally completed in three to five years.

In order to work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of professional experience may be needed before an applicant can sit for the licensing examination.

Interior Designer Online Courses

For students who to attend classes in the convenience of their Greenlawn NY homes, there are accredited online interior design classes. Attending classes online can be a great solution for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For some students online programs may be the sole option if no interior design colleges are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Additional expenses 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 respected accrediting agency, 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 online or distance education. If you have the discipline to obtain your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design college may be the ideal alternative for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Schools

After you have selected the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of evaluating your college options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the school must be within driving distance from your Greenlawn NY residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will limit your choices also. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is closest to your house are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you need to look at also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a few questions that you may want to address with the programs you are considering to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and ultimately pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior design college and program that you select has earned accreditation from 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 gone through a rigorous evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just verify that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Greenlawn NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require 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, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. So aside from providing an outstanding education, the Greenlawn NY school you choose should also furnish the suitable education 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 College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will probably want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It could also indicate that the college has a significant network of Greenlawn NY business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Greenlawn NY colleges you are evaluating and ask what type of assistance they provide. Many of interior designer programs offer financial aid to their new students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide support in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Greenlawn NY schools you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Greenlawn home, go to the school and monitor a couple of classes. While there talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design college you enroll in provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Greenlawn NY, confirm that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an alternative as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Greenlawn

Enroll in the Right Greenlawn Interior Design College

Selecting the ideal interior designer college 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 cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a difficult job no matter what major you have chosen. As with any undertaking to attain an advanced education, there are many factors to consider before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design school are both accredited and highly respected in the business. It is still imperative that you carry out your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design programs so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your drive to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Greenlawn New York.

 

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