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

So it’s time to start the process of selecting an interior design school near Jericho NY once you have made a career decision to study to be an interior designer. It's imperative that you get the appropriate training to put your skills to work, even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors. And because interior designers are licensed in a number of states, the school you choose should prep you to pass any required licensing test and provide the proper training for your specialty. So in order to assess and compare each school you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision it's very important that you carry out the appropriate due diligence. But where do you start? When checking out interior design programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other considerations that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit about the degree and training alternatives are offered.

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Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to acquire the training necessary to launch your new profession in Jericho NY. Your decision will no doubt be motivated by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have 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 a number of states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum level of training required to enter the field. They take roughly two years to finish and programs are available at numerous New York trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that supply more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative facets of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced training in design after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialized majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. 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 degree programs vary in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

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 professional experience may be needed before an applicant can sit for the licensing examination.

Online Interior Designer Schools

For students who to study in the convenience of their Jericho NY homes, there are online accredited interior design schools. Studying online can be a good alternative for those students that are employed or have busy 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 a number of students online schools may be the sole option if no interior design schools are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Added costs for such things as study materials or commuting may be decreased or eliminated also. Just make sure 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 programs may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the discipline to earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design college may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Once you have selected the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the school has to be within commuting distance from your Jericho NY home. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will decrease your choices also. But choosing the cheapest school or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you need to look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a list of questions that you may want to ask the schools you are considering to get those answers in addition to others to help you assess and subsequently select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior designer program and college that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation 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 agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Jericho NY employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required as well. Therefore besides providing an outstanding education, the Jericho NY program you select should also provide the appropriate 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? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly need some support in finding your first position. Ask the schools 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 sign that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It may also signify that the college has a sizable network of Jericho NY business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Jericho NY schools you are evaluating and ask what kind of aid they provide. Many of interior design programs provide financial aid to their incoming students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide help in acquiring grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Jericho NY programs you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Jericho home, go to the college and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some 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? Finally, confirm that the interior designer program you enroll in provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Jericho NY, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Jericho

Choose the Right Jericho Interior Design School

Choosing the ideal interior designer program is a critical initial step toward starting your career in this creative and fulfilling profession. Locating a school where you will receive your education and cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a daunting job no matter what major you have selected. As with any undertaking to acquire a higher education, there are several factors to consider before selecting a course, program or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. It is still imperative that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Jericho New York.

 

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