Interior Designer Degree
How to Choose the Best One Near Charlotte North Carolina

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Charlotte NC, it's time to begin the process of picking a school. It's important that you get the best available training to put your skills to work, 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, depending on your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing examination also. So in order to evaluate and compare each program you are considering before you make your final decision it's vital that you do the appropriate due diligence. But exactly where do you start? When looking for interior design schools, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are important variables when making a decision, they are by no means the sole ones. There are various other factors that you should evaluate when analyzing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit about the degree and training alternatives are offered.

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Interior Design Degrees

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to acquire the training necessary to launch your new profession in Charlotte NC. Your decision will undoubtedly be influenced by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in a number of states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief descriptions 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 roughly 2 years to finish and programs are offered at numerous North Carolina trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can usually obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that deliver more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative aspects of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced training in design after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives 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 the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are primarily for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are normally completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be needed before a candidate can take the licensing examination.

Interior Design Online Colleges

For students who to attend classes in the comfort of their Charlotte NC homes, there are accredited online interior design programs. Studying online can be a good option for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For many students online colleges may be the sole option if no interior design programs are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just make sure that the college you choose is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency, 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 education. If you have the discipline to earn your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design college may be the right alternative for you.

What to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Now that you have chosen the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of evaluating your school options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the school needs to be within commuting distance from your Charlotte NC home. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will decrease your choices also. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is closest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you should consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a list of questions that you may want to address with the schools you are considering to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior designer program and college that you enroll in has been accredited by 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). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Charlotte NC employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States calling for licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required as well. So besides providing an excellent education, the Charlotte NC school you select should also furnish the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for North Carolina or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will probably want some support in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It could also indicate that the college has a significant network of Charlotte NC business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Charlotte NC schools you are reviewing and ask what kind of support they offer. Many of interior designer colleges offer financial aid to their incoming students. Various schools provide partial scholarships while others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little 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 campus and monitor a few classes. While there speak with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior designer college you enroll in provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Charlotte NC, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an alternative as well. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

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

Enroll in the Best Charlotte Interior Design College

Choosing the ideal interior designer school is a crucial initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and fulfilling profession. Finding a school where you will obtain your training and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a difficult job regardless of what field you have decided on. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are a number of points to think about before selecting a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design school are both accredited and highly respected in the field. It is still essential that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with excellent training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Charlotte North Carolina.

 

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