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

So it’s time to begin 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 best available training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors. And because interior designers must be licensed in a number of states, the college you select should prepare you to pass any required licensing exam as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So in order to analyze and compare each school you are considering before you make your final decision it's very important that you do the proper research. But just how do you go about finding the right school? Some future students will begin their research by looking for interior design colleges near their home and then comparing tuition costs. However, a school is not always the right option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be considered as well. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in 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 Designer Degrees

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to receive the training necessary to launch your new career in Charlotte NC. Your choice will undoubtedly be influenced by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, be sure to choose 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 discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum amount of education required to enter the field. They take approximately two years to finish and programs are offered 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 four year programs that supply more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with 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 position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs furnish advanced design training after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to advance 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 college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order 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 some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be called for before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

Online Interior Design Courses

For individuals who wish to attend classes in the comfort of their Charlotte NC homes, there are online accredited interior design degrees. Studying online can be a great alternative for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For many students online programs may be the sole alternative if no interior design schools are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more conventional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the college you choose is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the dedication to obtain your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the ideal alternative for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Designer Schools

When you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the school needs to be within commuting distance from your Charlotte NC home. Of course if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will narrow down your options as well. But picking the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you assess and subsequently choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior designer school and program that you select has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their programs and instructors. Just verify that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are exceptional, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Charlotte NC employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several 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 program. And in several of those States mandating licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to furnishing an exceptional education, the Charlotte NC school you select should also furnish the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ examination 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 attained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some help in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It may also signify that the college has a large network of Charlotte NC business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Charlotte NC schools you are reviewing and ask what kind of assistance they provide. Many of interior design programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Various schools provide partial scholarships and others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college 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 personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Charlotte NC programs you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Charlotte home, visit the college and attend a few classes. While there speak with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer college you choose offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Charlotte NC, make certain that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

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

Choose the Right Charlotte Interior Design College

Choosing the right interior design college is a critical initial step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding profession. Locating a college where you will receive your education and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging job regardless of what major you have selected. As with any endeavor to acquire an advanced education, there are many things to think about before selecting a course, program or school. At a minimum, make sure that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. It is still important that you carry out your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal ultimate 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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