Interior Designer Degree Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Uniondale New York

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Uniondale NY, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. It's imperative that you get the appropriate training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a knack for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since a number of states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing exam also. So in order to assess and compare each program you are reviewing before you make your ultimate choice it's essential that you perform the appropriate due diligence. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program? Many future students will launch their research by searching for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for example reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit about the degree and training choices are available.

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Interior Design Degrees

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to acquire the training needed to begin your new profession in Uniondale NY. Your selection will no doubt be motivated by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, make certain to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in a number of states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum amount of education required to enter the field. They take roughly 2 years to finish and programs are available at many New York vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that deliver more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative aspects of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs supply advanced training in design after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialty majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mostly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary 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 schools become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required before a candidate can sit for the licensing exam.

Online Interior Design Colleges

For individuals who wish to attend classes in the comfort of their Uniondale NY homes, there are online accredited interior design schools. Studying online can be a good solution for those students that are working or have busy 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 many students online schools may be the sole alternative if no interior design colleges are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be decreased or eliminated also. Just make certain that the program 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 acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. If you have the dedication to acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design program may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Once you have chosen the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the college has to be within driving distance from your Uniondale NY home. Of course if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will decrease your options as well. But choosing the cheapest school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you should look at also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the programs you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you compare and ultimately select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior design school and program that you select has earned accreditation from either a regional or national organization. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding 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 agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Uniondale NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore besides furnishing an outstanding education, the Uniondale NY program you select should also provide the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet 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 attained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some help in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It may also indicate that the school has a significant network of Uniondale NY business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Uniondale NY colleges you are evaluating and find out what kind of assistance they provide. Many of interior design schools provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Some schools offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may 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 school and attend 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 Offered that Fit your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior designer college you select offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Uniondale NY, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative as well. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Uniondale

Choose the Best Uniondale Interior Design School

Choosing the ideal interior designer program is a crucial first step toward starting your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Finding a school where you will obtain your education and cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a daunting job regardless of what field you have chosen. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are several points to consider before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the business. It is still important that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining recommendations presented 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 drive to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Uniondale New York.

 

Uniondale Interior Design Colleges | Uniondale Interior Design Classes