Interior Designer College
How to Choose the Right One Near Charlotte North Carolina

So it’s time to start the task of choosing an interior design school near Charlotte NC once you have made a career choice to become an interior designer. It's imperative that you get the appropriate training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since several states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing examination also. So in order to assess and compare each program you are considering prior to making your final choice it's vital that you carry out the appropriate research. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right program? Many future students will begin their research by searching for interior design programs near their home and then comparing tuition costs. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will address those issues and other vital 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 alternatives are available.

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Interior Design Degree Options

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to acquire the training needed to launch your new career in Charlotte NC. Your decision will no doubt be influenced by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in a number of states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum level of training needed to enter the profession. They take roughly two years to finish and programs are offered at numerous North Carolina community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can normally qualify for entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that furnish more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative facets of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced design training after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialty majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are mainly for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs differ in length but are typically completed in three to five years.

In order to work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Interior Design Online Classes

For students who to attend classes in the comfort of their Charlotte NC homes, there are online accredited interior design classes. Studying online can be a good solution 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 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 schools are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be decreased or eliminated also. Just make sure that the school you select is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. If you have the dedication to obtain your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design school may be the perfect alternative for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Colleges

After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the college must be within driving distance from your Charlotte NC residence. Of course if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will limit your choices also. But choosing the least expensive school or the one that is closest to home are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you should look at also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a list of questions that you may want to ask the schools you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others to help you compare and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior designer program and college that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just confirm 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 college and the quality of the training are exceptional, it might also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Charlotte NC employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require that interior designers become 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, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to furnishing an excellent education, the Charlotte NC school you enroll in 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 College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will no doubt want 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 higher rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It could also signify that the school has a sizable network of Charlotte NC business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Charlotte NC schools you are evaluating and find out what type of support they provide. A number of interior designer colleges provide financial aid to their new students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide support in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Charlotte NC colleges you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Charlotte home, go to the school and sit in on a few classes. While there talk with a few students and ask 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, make sure that the interior designer school you choose provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Charlotte NC, make sure that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Find Out More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Charlotte

Choose the Best Charlotte Interior Design College

Choosing the ideal interior design school is a critical first step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Finding a school where you will obtain your education and cultivate your talents in a specific area of study is a daunting task no matter what field you have decided on. As with any undertaking to receive an advanced education, there are a number of factors to think about before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design school are both accredited and highly respected in the field. 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 effectively assess and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with quality training and your drive to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Charlotte North Carolina.

 

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