Interior Designer College
How to Pick the Best One Near Guilderland New York

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Guilderland NY, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. It's important that you get the appropriate 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 several states, the school you select should prepare you to pass any required licensing test and provide the proper training for your specialty. So in order to evaluate and compare each college you are considering before you make your final choice it's very important that you do the appropriate due diligence. But where do you begin? When looking for interior design schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are relevant factors when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit about the degree and class choices are available.

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Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are four degree options offered in interior design to get the training needed to begin your new career in Guilderland NY. Your choice will no doubt be influenced by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in some states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum amount of education needed 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 normally qualify for entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative components of the trade required to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced design training after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are largely for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs vary in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

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

Online Interior Designer Schools

For those who wish to attend classes in the convenience of their Guilderland NY homes, there are accredited online interior design degrees. Attending classes online can be a great alternative for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For some students online schools may be the sole option if no interior design programs are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Additional costs for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated also. Just make certain that the college you select is accredited by a highly regarded 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 distance or online 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 right alternative for you.

What to Ask Interior Design Programs

When you have selected the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of assessing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the campus must be within commuting distance from your Guilderland NY residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will limit your options as well. But picking the least expensive school or the one that is closest to your house are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should consider as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a few questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and ultimately pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior designer college and program that you select has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous assessment of their programs and instructors. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are exceptional, it might also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Guilderland NY employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States calling for licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required also. So aside from providing an exceptional education, the Guilderland NY school you select should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum licensing requirements for New York or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some support in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It might also signify that the college has a substantial network of Guilderland NY business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Guilderland NY colleges you are reviewing and find out what kind of support they offer. A number of interior design schools offer financial aid to their incoming students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Guilderland NY programs you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Guilderland home, go to the school and monitor a couple of classes. While there speak with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior designer college you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Guilderland NY, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an alternative as well. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Guilderland

Choose the Best Guilderland Interior Design School

Selecting the ideal interior design school is a crucial first step toward launching your career in this creative and fulfilling profession. Searching for a college where you will receive your training and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a daunting task regardless of what major you have chosen. As with any endeavor to receive an advanced education, there are several points to think about before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design college are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. It is still essential that you conduct your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Guilderland New York.

 

Guilderland Interior Design Colleges | Guilderland Interior Design Classes