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Interior Designer Degree Program
How to Select the Right One Near Oceanside New York

Oceanside New York modern interior designed conference roomSo it’s time to start the task of choosing an interior design school near Oceanside NY once you have made a career choice to study to be an interior designer. It's important that you get the appropriate training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a knack for designing commercial or residential interiors. And because interior designers must be licensed in several states, the college you choose should prep you to pass any required licensing test as well as provide the necessary training for your specialty. So it's essential you do the proper research in order to analyze and compare each school that you are considering prior to making your final selection. But just how do you undertake finding the right program? When checking out interior design schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are important issues when making a determination, they should not be the only ones. There are a number of other qualifications that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training options are available.

IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN CAREER BELOW!

Interior Design Compared to Interior Decoration

Oceanside New York interior designed living room with piano

Some people confuse interior design for interior decoration and conversely. The main distinction between the two is the amount of education required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, conducting business as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or living areas functional as well as attractive. On various occasions they may collaborate with architects and building engineers. There are two general categories that an interior designer in Oceanside NY may specialize in:

  • Residential Designing. Interior Designers often work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design basically any room of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one particular room, for example kitchens or bathrooms.
  • Commercial Design. When dealing with commercial or public spaces, designers normally concentrate primarily on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but pay attention to both. For example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are spaces where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for banks and hospitals may focus more on functionality over looks as the primary concern.

There are many areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. Designers must be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to including Feng shui principles, Oceanside NY interior designers employ a wide range of skills that help bring about their final creations.

Interior Designer Degree Programs

Oceanside New York spacious interior designed kitchen with hanging lights

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to receive the training necessary to launch your new career in Oceanside NY. Your selection will no doubt be driven by your career objectives as well as the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, be sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in several states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

  • Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum amount of education required to enter the profession. They take approximately 2 years to finish and programs are offered at a number of New York community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can commonly qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
  • Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that provide more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical facets of the business needed to become a designer. They are the minimum 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 supply advanced training in design after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
  • Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are largely for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs differ in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of field experience may be required before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Online Interior Designer Classes

Oceanside New York female student taking interior design classes onlineFor individuals who wish to attend classes in the comfort of their Oceanside NY homes, there are accredited online interior design degrees. Studying online can be an excellent option for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when practical 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 added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more conventional options. Added expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the school you choose is accredited by a respected accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. If you have the discipline to obtain your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Programs

When you have selected the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of evaluating your school options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the campus needs to be within commuting distance from your Oceanside NY home. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your choices as well. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you should consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the schools you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and subsequently select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's essential to confirm that the interior design program and college that you choose has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive assessment of their teachers and programs. Just confirm that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training 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 Oceanside NY employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Prep 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) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of work experience may be required also. So besides providing an exceptional education, the Oceanside NY college you enroll in should also furnish the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for New York or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some assistance in finding your first position. 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 an excellent indication that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It could also indicate that the college has a large network of Oceanside NY business connections where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Oceanside NY colleges you are reviewing and find out what type of assistance they offer. Many of interior design colleges provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Various schools offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Oceanside NY schools you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Oceanside home, visit the college and sit in on a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some 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 Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior design school you enroll in provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Oceanside NY, make certain that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Find Out More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Oceanside

Choose the Best Oceanside Interior Design College

Choosing the ideal interior design college is an important first step toward starting your career in this creative and gratifying occupation. Searching for a college where you will receive your training and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a challenging job regardless of what field you have decided on. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are several points to consider before choosing a school, program, or course. At a minimum, confirm that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. It is still imperative that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design programs so that you can make the right ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Oceanside New York.





 

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