Interior Designer Degree Program
How to Find the Right One Near Scarsdale New York

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design college near Scarsdale NY, it's time to start the process of picking a school. It's important that you get the appropriate training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors. And since several states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing examination also. So in order to analyze and compare each program you are considering before you make your final selection it's very important that you do the proper due diligence. But exactly where do you begin? When checking out interior design programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are relevant variables when making a determination, they should not be the only ones. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class choices are offered.

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

Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Some people mistake interior design for interior decoration and vice versa. The key difference between the two is the level of training required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. However, conducting business as an interior designer requires formal training and in many states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make living or work areas functional as well as attractive. On many projects they may collaborate with architects and building engineers. There are two general areas that an interior designer in Scarsdale NY may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers frequently work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design basically any area of the home, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they can specialize in designing one particular room, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When dealing with commercial or public areas, designers frequently concentrate predominantly on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but pay attention to both. As an example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are spaces where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for banks and hospitals might focus more on functionality over looks as the primary consideration.

There are many areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, including lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They have 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, Scarsdale NY interior designers employ a wide range of skills that help bring about their ultimate designs.

Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are four degree options offered in interior design to obtain the training necessary to begin your new profession in Scarsdale NY. Your choice will undoubtedly be motivated by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in several states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum level of training needed to enter the profession. They take approximately two years to finish and programs are available at a number of New York vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can normally qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that supply more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical facets of the business needed to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs supply advanced training in design after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are largely for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The 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", many states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be required before an applicant can sit for the licensing examination.

Interior Designer Online Classes

For those who wish to attend classes in the convenience of their Scarsdale NY homes, there are online accredited interior design colleges. Studying online can be a great alternative for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For some students online colleges may be the only alternative if no interior design schools are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated as well. Just make sure that the college you choose is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. If you have the discipline to acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design college may be the ideal alternative for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Programs

After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the school must be within driving distance from your Scarsdale NY residence. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will limit your options as well. But selecting the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you should look at also, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a few concerns that you may want to address with the schools you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you compare and subsequently select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior designer college and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous assessment of their programs and teachers. Just make sure that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. 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 applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Scarsdale NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required also. So aside from furnishing an excellent education, the Scarsdale NY college you select should also furnish the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for New York or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, 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 may also signify that the school has a sizable network of Scarsdale NY business connections where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial aid offices for the Scarsdale NY colleges you are looking at and find out what kind of support they offer. A number of interior design programs offer financial aid to their new students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide support in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Scarsdale NY colleges you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Scarsdale home, visit the college and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some 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 Offered that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer school you enroll in offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Scarsdale NY, confirm that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Find Out More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in Scarsdale

Choose the Right Scarsdale Interior Design School

Picking the ideal interior designer school is an important initial step toward launching your career in this creative and fulfilling occupation. Locating a college where you will obtain your training and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a challenging job regardless of what major you have chosen. As with any endeavor to acquire an advanced education, there are several points to think about before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design school are both accredited and highly respected in the field. It is still essential that you carry out your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the right final selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Scarsdale New York.

 

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