Interior Designer College
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Saint James New York

So it’s time to start the process of picking an interior design school near Saint James NY now that you have made a career choice to become an interior designer. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's important that you obtain the right training to put your skills to work. And since some states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination also. So in order to assess and compare each college you are looking at before you make your ultimate selection it's crucial that you carry out the proper due diligence. But just how do you go about finding the right school? Many future students will kick off their research by searching for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are relevant issues when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. There are a number of other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will address those issues and other crucial 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 available.

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Interior Design Compared to Interior Decoration

Many people mistake interior design for interior decoration and conversely. The principal difference between the two is the level of education required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. However, working as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or residential areas functional as well as attractive. On many projects they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are two general categories that an interior designer in Saint James NY may specialize in:

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

There are various areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, including color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. They need to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From choosing carpeting and wall paper to integrating Feng shui principles, Saint James NY interior designers utilize a wide range of skills that help bring about their final creations.

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to obtain the training needed to launch your new profession in Saint James NY. Your selection will undoubtedly be driven by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in some states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum amount of education needed to enter the profession. They take about two years to complete and programs are available at a number of New York vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level employment 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 business needed to become a designer. They are the minimum credential 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 a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialty majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are primarily for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Interior Design Online Schools

For students who to attend classes in the convenience of their Saint James NY homes, there are accredited online interior design degrees. Studying online can be a great solution for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For some students online colleges may be the sole option if no interior design colleges are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Additional expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the college you select is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the discipline to acquire your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design school may be the ideal alternative for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Now that you have selected the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can start the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the campus must be within commuting distance from your Saint James NY home. Naturally if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will limit your options also. But picking the least expensive school or the one that is closest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you need to look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the college. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others to help you compare and subsequently select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior designer college and program that you choose has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive 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 agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are exceptional, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Saint James NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States mandating licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required also. So besides furnishing an excellent education, the Saint James NY program you enroll in should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam 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? Once you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will probably want some help in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at 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 regard within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It might also signify that the school has a substantial network of Saint James NY business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial aid offices for the Saint James NY schools you are evaluating and find out what kind of support they provide. Many of interior designer colleges provide financial aid to their new students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Saint James NY colleges you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Saint James home, visit the school and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer school you enroll in offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Saint James NY, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Saint James

Choose the Best Saint James Interior Design School

Selecting the right interior designer program is a critical initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and fulfilling profession. Searching for a school where you will obtain your training and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult job regardless of what field you have chosen. As with any undertaking to attain an advanced education, there are several factors to think about before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, check that the program and design school are both accredited and highly respected in the business. It is still essential that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the right final selection. And with superior training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Saint James New York.

 

Saint James Interior Design Courses | Saint James Interior Design Degrees