Interior Designer Degree Program
How to Enroll in the Best One Near Chapel Hill North Carolina

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design degree program near Chapel Hill NC, it's time to begin 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 knack for designing residential or commercial interiors. And since interior designers must be licensed in a number of states, the school you choose should prepare you to pass any required licensing test and provide the necessary training for your specialty. So it's very important you perform the appropriate research so that you can analyze and compare each college that you are looking at prior to making your final decision. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program? A number of future students will begin their research by searching for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are key factors when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation need to be considered as well. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit about the degree and training alternatives are offered.

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Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to receive the training necessary to begin your new profession in Chapel Hill NC. Your choice will undoubtedly be driven by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, be sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in several states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum level of training required to enter the field. They take approximately two years to finish and programs are available at many North Carolina vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can normally obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that furnish more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical aspects of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced training in design after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many 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 college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are normally completed in three to five years.

To work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be called for before an applicant can take the licensing exam.

Interior Design Online Colleges

For anyone wishing' to attend classes in the convenience of their Chapel Hill NC homes, there are accredited online interior design colleges. Studying online can be a good option for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For a number of students online programs may be the sole option if no interior design colleges are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Additional costs for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated also. Just make certain that the school you select is accredited by a respected accrediting agency, 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 discipline to acquire your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the right alternative for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Now that you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of assessing your college options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the campus must be within driving distance from your Chapel Hill NC residence. Obviously 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 limit your options as well. But selecting the cheapest school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the colleges you are looking at to obtain those answers as well as others to help you compare and subsequently choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior design program and college that you choose has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. 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 gone through a rigorous assessment of their programs and instructors. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Chapel Hill NC employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do require 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 school. And in some of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. So in addition to furnishing an excellent education, the Chapel Hill NC program you choose should also furnish the appropriate training to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for North Carolina or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly need some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It may also indicate that the college has a sizable network of Chapel Hill NC business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Chapel Hill NC colleges you are evaluating and find out what kind of aid they provide. A number of interior designer schools offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Chapel Hill NC schools you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Chapel Hill home, visit the college and sit in on a few classes. While there talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior designer program you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Chapel Hill NC, make sure that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Learn More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in Chapel Hill

Enroll in the Best Chapel Hill Interior Design School

Choosing the ideal interior design school is a critical initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Locating a college where you will receive your training and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging job no matter what major you have selected. As with any undertaking to receive an advanced education, there are a number of factors to consider before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. It is still important that you conduct your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Chapel Hill North Carolina.

 

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