Interior Designer Degree Program
How to Find the Right One Near Jericho New York

So it’s time to begin the task of choosing an interior design school near Jericho NY now that you have made a career decision to study to be an interior designer. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's imperative that you get the right training to put your skills to work. And since interior designers must be licensed in several states, the school you select should prepare you to pass any required licensing exam as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So it's very important you carry out the proper research in order to assess and compare each college that you are considering prior to making your final decision. But exactly where do you start? A number of future students will begin their research by searching for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition costs. 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 various other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at in more detail below. 

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Subjects to Ask Interior Design Programs

Once you have selected the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the campus must be within commuting distance from your Jericho NY residence. Of course if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will limit your options as well. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you need to look at also, including the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a few concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's necessary to confirm that the interior design program and school that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. 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 gone through a rigorous assessment of their instructors and programs. Just verify 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 confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are excellent, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Jericho 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 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 some of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore aside from providing an exceptional education, the Jericho NY school you enroll in should also furnish the proper education to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with 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 obtained your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some support in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It might also indicate that the college has a sizable network of Jericho 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 Jericho NY schools you are looking at and find out what kind of aid they provide. Many of interior designer schools offer financial aid to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Jericho NY colleges you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Jericho home, visit the college and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

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

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Jericho

Choose the Right Jericho Interior Design College

Choosing the right interior design program is a critical first step toward launching your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Searching for a school where you will receive your training and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a challenging job regardless of what major you have chosen. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are a number of factors to consider before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, check that the program and design college are both accredited and highly regarded in the field. It is still important that you conduct your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Jericho New York.

 

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