Interior Designer School
How to Select the Right One Near Uniondale New York

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design college near Uniondale NY, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. It's important 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 because interior designers are licensed in a number of states, the school you choose should prepare you to pass any required licensing exam as well as provide the necessary training for your specialty. So in order to analyze and compare each program you are considering before you make your final selection it's vital that you do the appropriate research. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school? When checking out interior design schools, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation need to be taken into consideration as well. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit about the degree and training options are available.

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Interior Design Degree Options

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to receive the training necessary to begin your new career in Uniondale NY. Your choice will undoubtedly be motivated by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, make sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in several states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum level of training needed to enter the field. They take about two years to finish and programs are available at many 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 four year programs that furnish more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative components of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs supply advanced design training after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialty 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. Doctorate programs are mostly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are normally completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be needed before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Interior Design Online Colleges

For individuals who wish to study in the comfort of their Uniondale NY homes, there are accredited online interior design degrees. Studying online can be a good alternative for those students that are working or have busy 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 some students online colleges may be the only alternative if no interior design colleges are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Additional costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated also. Just be sure that the school you select is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. If you have the dedication to earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the right alternative for you.

What to Ask Interior Design Programs

After you have decided on the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the school must be within commuting distance from your Uniondale NY residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will decrease your options as well. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is closest to your house are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other things that you should consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a few concerns that you may want to ask the programs you are looking at to get those answers as well as others to help you examine and subsequently pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior designer school and program that you select 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). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous assessment of their instructors and programs. Just confirm that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Uniondale NY employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the Program Prepare 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 in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States mandating licensing, a minimum of 2 years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore aside from providing an outstanding education, the Uniondale NY program you enroll in should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for New York or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some support in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It could also signify that the college has a sizable network of Uniondale NY business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Uniondale NY schools you are looking at and find out what kind of support they provide. A number of interior design schools offer financial aid to their incoming students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide help in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Uniondale NY colleges you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Uniondale home, visit the campus and monitor a couple of 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 experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior design college you enroll in provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Uniondale NY, make certain that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Uniondale

Enroll in the Right Uniondale Interior Design College

Selecting the ideal interior designer school is an important first step toward launching your career in this creative and rewarding profession. Searching for a school where you will obtain your training and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging job regardless of what field you have selected. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are a number of points to consider before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. It is still essential that you conduct your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with superior training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Uniondale New York.

 

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