Part 2.0: Interior Design School, The Education, The US.

I posted this earlier today, but as it concerns the American’s more than the European’s I have to re-blog it again. (Time zone issues.) Again, if you are following me for the photos only, please disregard this post. I have undertaken the task of educating myself and other interested parties in understanding exactly how one goes about becoming an Interior Designer, so unless this is a direction you plan to take in life, I suggest you stop reading right… Here.

1. Up until fairly recently, the type of courses and book based learning was limited and therefore the most common way of becoming an Interior Designer was through work placements/apprenticeships.

2. Today, there are various routes when it comes to pursuing Interior Design through formal education. Due to popular demand, more and more colleges are offering it as a subject, and both art and design schools have degree courses. As being an Interior Designer has become a recognized profession, the demand for courses have grown and students have also been given the opportunity to study Interior Design at university level.

3. Although I am by no means an expert, (just yet), I did pick up on one important detail, which I think one should consider carefully before picking formal schooling. First of all, when it comes to higher education, it is advisable to go with an accredited organization, as you’ll eventually be having practical training with already established professionals. While some individuals has gone onto become highly successful without having studied with an accredited organization, it is a wise choice for the majority as the supervised practical experience’s after the training courses hones your skillset and ensures that you will be ready for what is bound to be a very competitive job market.

4. In the US numerous colleges and universities including offer four year baccalaureate degrees, and a few design colleges even has it a stand alone program.

5. However, when it comes to obtaining a masters degree, (being MS, MFA, MA or MID,) in interior design, the choices are limited, as it is currently not available at most universities.

6. The same applies to PhD programs.

7. As for obtaining accredited interior design school degrees through distance learning,  it is today possible to obtain both Baccalaureate and Masters Degree’s online.

8. Before I finish up, I should just mention that some graduate degree’s does not require a related bachelor’s degree. Also, while researching the above topic, I found that some Interior Design Schools offers degrees in Interior Architecture. It is important that this is not confused with degrees in Interior Design, as in order to call yourself an Interior Architect, it is a requirement that you are also a licensed Architect. In some schools where architecture is also offered as a program, interior design students may take some classes with the architecture students at the beginning.