Interior Designer School
How to Pick 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 selecting a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's essential that you obtain the appropriate training to put your skills to work. And because interior designers are licensed in a number of states, the school you choose should prepare you to pass any required licensing test as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So it's crucial you do the proper research so that you can assess and compare each school that you are considering before you make your final choice. But just how do you go about finding the right program? When looking for interior design programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into consideration also. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are researching 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 Design Degrees

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to obtain the training needed to start your new career in Oyster Bay NY. Your choice will undoubtedly be influenced by your career objectives as well as the time and money that you have to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make certain to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in some states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum level of training needed to enter the profession. They take roughly two years to finish and programs are offered at a number of New York community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can usually 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 obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs provide advanced design training after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialty majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are largely for those professionals who desire 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 adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be required before a candidate can take the licensing examination.

Online Interior Designer Degree Programs

For those who wish to study in the comfort of their Oyster Bay NY homes, there are accredited online interior design programs. Attending classes online can be an excellent alternative for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For some students online schools may be the only option if no interior design programs are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated also. Just be sure that the program you choose is accredited by a respected accrediting agency, 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 learning. If you have the dedication to obtain your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design program may be the ideal alternative for you.

What to Ask Interior Design Schools

Once you have selected the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the campus must be within driving distance from your Oyster Bay NY residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will decrease your options as well. But selecting the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you should consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a few questions that you may want to address with the programs you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and subsequently select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior design college and program that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding assessment of their teachers and programs. Just verify that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Oyster Bay NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of work experience may be required as well. So in addition to furnishing an exceptional education, the Oyster Bay NY program you select should also provide the proper education to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum licensing requirements for New York or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will probably want some support in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It may also indicate that the school has a substantial network of Oyster Bay NY business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Oyster Bay NY colleges you are evaluating and find out what type of aid they offer. A number of interior design schools offer financial aid to their incoming students. Some colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide support in securing federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Oyster Bay NY programs you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Oyster Bay home, visit the campus and attend a few classes. While there talk with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior design school you choose offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Oyster Bay NY, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option also. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in Oyster Bay

Enroll in the Best Oyster Bay Interior Design School

Choosing the right interior designer school is a crucial first step toward starting your career in this artistic and fulfilling occupation. Searching for a college where you will receive your education and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting job no matter what field you have chosen. As with any undertaking to acquire a higher education, there are several things to think about before selecting a course, program or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. It is still imperative that you conduct your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right final selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Oyster Bay New York.

 

Oyster Bay Interior Design Degrees | Oyster Bay How To Become An Interior Designer