Interior Designer Degree
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Jericho New York

Now that you have decided to enroll in an interior design school near Jericho NY, it's time to start the process of picking a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's important that you get the right training to put your skills to work. And because interior designers are licensed in a number of states, the college you choose should prepare you to pass any required licensing test as well as provide the necessary training for your specialty. So it's essential you carry out the proper research so that you can evaluate and compare each college that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision. But where do you begin? Many potential students will launch their research by searching for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. However, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit about the degree and training choices are available.

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Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to receive the training needed to launch your new career in Jericho NY. Your decision will undoubtedly be influenced by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, be sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in several states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum level of training required to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to complete and programs are offered at numerous New York trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can typically obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that furnish more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative facets of the business needed to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced design training after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mainly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are normally completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be needed before an applicant can sit for the licensing examination.

Online Interior Design Schools

For individuals who wish to attend classes in the comfort of their Jericho NY homes, there are accredited online interior design programs. Studying online can be a good solution for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For some students online colleges may be the sole option if no interior design schools are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Additional costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated also. Just make sure that the school you choose is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. If you have the discipline to earn your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design program may be the ideal option for you.

What to Ask Interior Design Colleges

When you have decided on the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the campus needs to be within commuting distance from your Jericho NY residence. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will limit your options also. But selecting the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you should consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a few questions that you may want to ask the schools you are looking at to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you examine and subsequently select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's essential to confirm that the interior design school and program that you choose has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous assessment of their instructors and programs. Just confirm 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 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 offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Jericho NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do mandate 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 school. And in several of those States mandating licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from providing an outstanding education, the Jericho NY program you choose should also furnish the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum requirements for licensing 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 probably need some support in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design profession and its graduates are sought after. It could also signify that the school has a large network of Jericho NY business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Jericho NY schools you are reviewing and find out what type of assistance they provide. A number of interior design colleges provide financial aid to their new students. Some schools provide partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Jericho NY programs you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Jericho home, visit the campus and attend a few classes. While there talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior design college you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Jericho NY, make certain that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Jericho

Choose the Right Jericho Interior Design School

Selecting the ideal interior designer program is a crucial initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and fulfilling occupation. Locating a college where you will receive your education and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a daunting job no matter what field you have chosen. As with any undertaking to acquire an advanced education, there are several things to think about before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. It is still imperative that you carry out your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the right ultimate selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Jericho New York.

 

Jericho Interior Design Colleges | Jericho Interior Design Classes