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

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design school near Ozone Park NY, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's imperative that you obtain the appropriate training to put your talents to work. And because interior designers must be licensed in several states, the college you select should prep you to pass any required licensing test and 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 looking at prior to making your final selection. But just how do you approach finding the right program? Some prospective students will launch their research by looking for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are key variables when making a determination, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation must be considered as well. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask 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 training options are offered.

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

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to obtain the training necessary to launch your new profession in Ozone Park NY. Your choice will no doubt be driven by your career goals as well as the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in some states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum amount of training needed to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to complete and programs are offered at a number of New York vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can normally obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that furnish more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative facets of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced training in design after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mostly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are typically completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and use 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 an applicant can sit for the licensing examination.

Online Interior Designer Schools

For individuals who wish to attend classes in the comfort of their Ozone Park NY homes, there are accredited online interior design schools. Studying online can be a good solution for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For many students online colleges may be the sole alternative 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 expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated as well. Just make certain that the college you pick is accredited by a highly regarded 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 online or distance learning. If you have the discipline to obtain your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design college may be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Programs

Once you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the school needs to be within driving distance from your Ozone Park NY home. Naturally if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But selecting the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your house are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you should look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a list of questions 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 assess and subsequently choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior designer school and program that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive evaluation 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 agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are exceptional, it might also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Ozone Park NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do require that interior designers get 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 program. And in some of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required as well. So aside from furnishing an excellent education, the Ozone Park NY school you choose should also furnish the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill 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 received your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some help in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its students are in demand. It might also signify that the school has a significant network of Ozone Park NY business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Ozone Park NY colleges you are evaluating and find out what kind of support they offer. Many of interior designer colleges offer financial assistance to their new students. Various schools offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Ozone Park NY schools you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Ozone Park home, go to the campus and sit in on a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior design college you choose offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Ozone Park NY, confirm that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Ozone Park

Enroll in the Best Ozone Park Interior Design School

Choosing the right interior design college is a critical initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and fulfilling occupation. Locating a college where you will obtain your education and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a challenging task regardless of what field you have selected. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are a number of things to consider before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, verify that the design college and program are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. It is still essential that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to properly 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 reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Ozone Park New York.

 

Ozone Park Interior Design Colleges | Ozone Park Interior Design Classes