Interior Designer Degree
How to Find the Best One Near Oyster Bay New York

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design degree program near Oyster Bay NY, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. It's important that you get the best available training to put your skills to work, even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors. And since a number of states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing exam as well. So in order to assess and compare each school you are looking at before you make your final decision it's crucial that you do the proper due diligence. But just how do you go about finding the right program? When checking out interior design schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are important issues when making a determination, they should not be the only ones. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit about the degree and training alternatives are offered.

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Interior Designer Degrees

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to acquire the training needed to begin your new career in Oyster Bay NY. Your decision will undoubtedly be driven by your career objectives as well as the time and money that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose to enroll in, be sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in a number of states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum level of training needed to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to finish and programs are available at a number of New York trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can usually obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that furnish more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative aspects of the trade 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 the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to enhance 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 programs vary in length but are usually completed in three to five years.

To work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of professional experience may be needed before a candidate can take the licensing examination.

Online Interior Design Schools

For those who wish to study in the comfort of their Oyster Bay NY homes, there are accredited online interior design schools. Studying online can be an excellent alternative for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For many students online schools may be the sole alternative if no interior design schools are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Additional expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated also. Just make certain that the school you pick is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. If you have the dedication to acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design school may be the right alternative for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Now that you have selected the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the school needs to be within driving distance from your Oyster Bay NY residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will narrow down your options also. But choosing the least expensive school or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you should consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and subsequently choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior designer school and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from 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). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding evaluation of their programs and instructors. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are exceptional, it might also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Oyster Bay NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do require that interior designers get 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 some of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Oyster Bay NY school you enroll in should also provide the proper 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? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will probably need some help in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It may also indicate that the college has a sizable network of Oyster Bay NY business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Oyster Bay NY colleges you are reviewing and ask what kind of support they provide. Many of interior designer schools provide financial aid to their incoming students. Some schools provide partial scholarships and others provide assistance in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Oyster Bay NY schools you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Oyster Bay home, go to the college and sit in on a couple of 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 credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior designer college you choose offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Oyster Bay NY, make sure that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Oyster Bay

Choose the Best Oyster Bay Interior Design School

Choosing the ideal interior design school is an important first step toward launching your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Finding a school where you will receive your training and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a difficult job no matter what major you have chosen. As with any endeavor to acquire an advanced education, there are a number of points to think about before enrolling in a school, program, or course. At a minimum, make sure that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the field. It is still important that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the right final selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Oyster Bay New York.

 

Oyster Bay Interior Design Schools | Oyster Bay Interior Design Programs