Interior Designer Degree Program
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Springfield Gardens New York

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Springfield Gardens NY, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. It's important that you get the best available training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors. 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 proper training for your specialty. So in order to evaluate and compare each college you are considering before you make your final selection it's crucial that you carry out the proper due diligence. But just how do you undertake finding the right school? A number of prospective students will start their research by searching for interior design schools near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when comparing 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 reviewing later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class options are offered.

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

Interior Design Compared to Interior Decoration

Some people mistake interior decoration for interior design and vice versa. The key distinction between the two is the amount of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, working as an interior designer requires a formal education and in many states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or living spaces functional as well as attractive. On many projects they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in Springfield Gardens NY may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers typically work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any area of a house, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they can specialize in designing one particular room, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Design. When working on commercial or public areas, designers frequently concentrate predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but pay attention to both. For instance, business reception areas and meeting rooms are spaces where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for banks and hospitals may concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the primary concern.

There are various areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, including lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. They must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui principles, Springfield Gardens NY interior designers employ a wide range of skills that contribute to their ultimate designs.

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to acquire the training necessary to launch your new profession in Springfield Gardens NY. Your selection will undoubtedly be driven by your career goals as well as the money and time 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 required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in several states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum amount of education needed to enter the profession. They take approximately 2 years to complete and programs are available at numerous New York vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can commonly qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative components of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs furnish advanced design training after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialty 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. Doctorate degrees are mostly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be required before a candidate can sit for the licensing exam.

Interior Designer Online Degree Programs

For anyone wishing' to attend classes in the comfort of their Springfield Gardens NY homes, there are online accredited interior design classes. Attending classes online can be an excellent alternative for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For a number of students online schools may be the only option if no interior design programs are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated also. Just make certain that the school you pick is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the discipline to obtain your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design program may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Now that you have selected the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Springfield Gardens NY home. 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 narrow down your options as well. But picking the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a few concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and ultimately pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior design program and school that you select 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 receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their programs and instructors. Just confirm that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Springfield Gardens NY employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do require that interior designers get 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 program. And in several of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Springfield Gardens NY school you select should also furnish the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for New York or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will probably want 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 indication that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It might also indicate that the college has a significant network of Springfield Gardens NY business connections where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Springfield Gardens NY colleges you are looking at and find out what type of aid they offer. Many of interior design programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide help in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Springfield Gardens NY programs you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Springfield Gardens home, visit the college and sit in on a couple of 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 Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design college you select offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Springfield Gardens NY, confirm that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Springfield Gardens

Enroll in the Best Springfield Gardens Interior Design School

Selecting the right interior design college is a critical initial step toward launching your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Searching for a college where you will obtain your education and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a daunting task no matter what field you have selected. As with any endeavor to receive a higher education, there are a number of 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 field. It is still imperative that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Springfield Gardens New York.

 

Springfield Gardens How To Become An Interior Designer | Springfield Gardens Interior Design Classes Online