Interior Designer Course
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Oceanside New York

So it’s time to start the process of picking an interior design school near Oceanside NY now that you have made a career choice to become an interior designer. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's important that you receive the right training to put your talents to work. And because 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 necessary training for your specialty. So in order to assess and compare each college you are considering before you make your final selection it's vital that you perform the proper research. But just how do you go about finding the right program? A number of potential students will launch their research by looking for interior design programs near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are important issues when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. There are many other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will address those topics and other vital 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 more about what interior design is and what degree and training alternatives are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Often people mistake interior decoration for interior design and conversely. The primary difference between them is the level of training required. Any person can work as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. On the other hand, working as an interior designer requires a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make living or work spaces attractive as well as functional. On some projects they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are two broad areas that an interior designer in Oceanside NY can specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers often work on new construction and existing homes. They can design basically any area of the home, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one specific room, for example bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Design. When working on commercial or public spaces, designers frequently concentrate predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but pay attention to both. For example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are areas where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for hospitals and banks might focus more on functionality over looks as the main concern.

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

Interior Design Degrees

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to acquire the training required to launch your new career in Oceanside NY. Your decision will no doubt be driven by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose to enroll in, make certain to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in a number of states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum amount of education required to enter the profession. They take about two years to complete and programs are available at a number of New York community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can normally qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical aspects of the business needed to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced design training after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are largely for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are usually completed in three to five years.

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 professional experience may be required before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

Interior Designer Online Schools

For anyone wishing' to study in the comfort of their Oceanside NY homes, there are accredited online interior design degrees. Attending classes online can be a great option for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For a number of students online colleges may be the only option if no interior design colleges are within driving distance. And as an additional 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 as well. Just be sure that the college you enroll in is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools 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 structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design school may be the perfect option for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Schools

Once you have selected the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of assessing your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the campus has to be within driving distance from your Oceanside NY home. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will limit your choices also. But picking the cheapest school or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you need to look at as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others to help you assess and ultimately select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior design program and school that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous assessment of their programs and instructors. Just verify that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are excellent, it might also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Oceanside NY employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of work experience may be required as well. So aside from providing an outstanding education, the Oceanside NY program you choose should also furnish the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for New York or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some support in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It might also signify that the college has a significant network of Oceanside NY business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Oceanside NY schools you are evaluating and find out what type of support they offer. Many of interior design programs offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Some schools offer partial scholarships while others provide help in obtaining grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Oceanside NY programs you are looking at what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Oceanside home, go to the campus and sit in on a couple of classes. While there speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior designer college you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Oceanside 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 illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Oceanside

Choose the Right Oceanside Interior Design School

Choosing the right interior design program is a critical first step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Locating a school where you will obtain your education and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a difficult task no matter what major you have chosen. As with any undertaking to attain an advanced education, there are many factors to consider before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. It is still imperative that you conduct your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Oceanside New York.

 

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