Interior Designer College
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Ozone Park New York

So it’s time to start the task of picking an interior design school near Ozone Park NY now that you have made a career decision to become an interior designer. It's imperative that you get the appropriate training to put your skills to work, even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since interior designers are licensed in several states, the college you select should prep you to pass any required licensing exam and provide the necessary training for your specialty. So it's very important you carry out the appropriate research in order to analyze and compare each college that you are considering before you make your final decision. But just how do you undertake enrolling in the right program? Some future students will start their research by looking for interior design schools near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are relevant factors when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit about the degree and class alternatives are available.

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Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are four degree options available in interior design to acquire the training needed to begin your new profession in Ozone Park 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 no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, be sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in several states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum amount of training required to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to complete and programs are available at numerous New York trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level employment 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 facets 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 provide advanced training in design after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialized 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 desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are generally completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be called for before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Online Interior Designer Schools

For anyone wishing' to study in the convenience of their Ozone Park NY homes, there are online accredited interior design schools. Attending classes online can be a great option 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 some students online schools may be the only alternative if no interior design colleges are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower 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 college you pick is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, 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 distance or online education. If you have the dedication to earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design program may be the ideal alternative for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Once you have chosen the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of evaluating your school options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the campus must be within commuting distance from your Ozone Park NY residence. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your choices as well. But selecting the least expensive school or the one that is nearest to home are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the programs you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others to help you assess and subsequently pick the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School 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 highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just make sure 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many Ozone Park NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would require 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 requiring licensing, 2 or more years of work experience may be required as well. So aside from providing an outstanding education, the Ozone Park NY school you enroll in should also provide the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination 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? Once you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly want some help in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It could also signify that the college has a large network of Ozone Park NY business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Ozone Park NY colleges you are looking at and find out what type of assistance they provide. Many of interior design schools offer financial aid to their incoming students. Various schools provide partial scholarships and others provide support in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Ozone Park NY colleges you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Ozone Park home, visit the campus and attend a couple of classes. While there 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 Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer college you enroll in provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Ozone Park NY, make certain that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Find Out More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Ozone Park

Enroll in the Right Ozone Park Interior Design School

Picking the ideal interior designer program is a critical first step toward starting your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Locating a college where you will obtain your education and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging job no matter what major you have chosen. As with any undertaking to acquire a higher education, there are several factors to think about before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. It is still essential that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right final selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Ozone Park New York.

 

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