Interior Designer Program
How to Select the Right One Near Chapel Hill North Carolina

So it’s time to start the task of choosing an interior design school near Chapel Hill NC once you have made a career choice to become an interior designer. It's important that you get the best available training to put your skills to work, even if you have always had a knack for designing residential or commercial interiors. And since some states do require that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's very important you do the proper research so that you can assess and compare each program that you are considering before you make your final choice. But just where do you begin? When checking out interior design programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into account as well. We will discuss those topics and other vital 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 class options are offered.

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Interior Designer Degree Options

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to obtain the training necessary to start your new career in Chapel Hill NC. Your selection will no doubt be driven by your career objectives as well as the money and time 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 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 short explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum level of training needed to enter the field. They take roughly 2 years to finish and programs are available at numerous North Carolina vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can usually obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that provide more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical components of the business needed 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 achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialized majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mainly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and use 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 needed before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

Interior Design Online Schools

For individuals who wish to study in the comfort of their Chapel Hill NC homes, there are accredited online interior design degrees. Attending classes online can be a good solution for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For some students online schools may be the sole option if no interior design schools are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just make sure 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 earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. If you have the discipline to obtain your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design college may be the perfect alternative for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Programs

When you have selected the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the college has to be within driving distance from your Chapel Hill NC residence. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will decrease your options also. But selecting the least expensive college or the one that is closest to home are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to look at also, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the schools you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others to help you assess and subsequently choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior design school and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Chapel Hill NC employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required as well. So aside from furnishing an excellent education, the Chapel Hill NC school you select should also provide the proper education to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum requirements for licensing for North Carolina or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will probably need some help in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It could also signify that the college has a significant network of Chapel Hill NC business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial aid departments for the Chapel Hill NC schools you are reviewing and ask what kind of aid they provide. A number of interior designer schools provide financial assistance to their new students. Various schools offer partial scholarships while others provide help in obtaining grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Chapel Hill NC colleges you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Chapel Hill home, go to the school and attend 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 backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer program you select offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Chapel Hill NC, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

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

Choose the Right Chapel Hill Interior Design College

Picking the ideal interior designer program is a critical first step toward launching your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Locating a college where you will obtain your education and cultivate your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging job no matter what major you have chosen. As with any endeavor to attain an advanced education, there are many points to think about before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. It is still imperative that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with excellent training and your drive to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Chapel Hill North Carolina.

 

Chapel Hill Interior Design Colleges | Chapel Hill Interior Design Classes