Whether you are interested in an interior design career, want to study for personal use, or are a professional seeking continuing education, there are several online options to help you achieve your goals.
How Online Interior Design Programs Work
Online interior design programs work much like other online programs with students accessing information and submitting work over the Internet. In addition to Internet access, online interior design courses may require specialty software and a scanner.
For interior design students, feedback on their work is important. Jan Jacobson, Online Academic Program Director for the Art Institute Online's Interior Design and Residential Planning Program, points out that technology helps online students get the feedback they need. “Our students get the same feedback online as they do on-ground, maybe even more,” says Jacobson. “We have many technology features that allow us to communicate with our students virtually that are not used in a brick and mortar classroom.”
Online interior design students can earn a diploma in a year or less, while degree programs usually take several years to complete. Jacobson points out that no matter what the program length, students must work hard to stay balanced. “The flexibility of online programs is a plus, but a student must be highly motivated and able to stay focused,” says Jacobson.
Online Interior Design Schools
Although there are not a lot of online interior design programs, almost everything, ranging from individual courses to master's degrees, is available. Unfortunately, the variety of choices can add to the stress of picking the right program.
“Deciding on what type of interior design education to pursue is a big challenge,” notes Katie Thomas, Associate Director of Student Programs for the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). Thomas tells students that getting all the details is the best way to make an informed decision. “Students really should start at square one. Find out what programs are available, what sort of design each school specializes in, who they are accredited by and what that means, how much each program costs, what types of classes are offered, what percentage of graduates actually pursue interior design, and what types of jobs those graduates have landed.”
Below is a listing of schools that offer online interior design programs:
- The Art Institute Online
- Academy of Art University
- Learning Institute
- Limperts Academy of Design
- Penn Foster Career School
- Professional Career Development Institute
- Rhodec International
- Sheffield School of Interior Design
- Westwood College Online
Paying for an Online Interior Design Education
The cost of programs ranges from a few hundred dollars for non-credit courses to several hundred dollars per credit hour for degree programs. Online interior design students may be able to supplement these costs through federal loans and grants, private loans, scholarships, or employer tuition assistance. Students should check with the financial aid office at their school for more information.
Employment
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for interior designers is expected to grow 15.5% by 2014. With this positive outlook, interior design positions will be available, but will online students be able to get those positions?
Kayem Dunn, Executive Director for the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), tells prospective students to think about their career goals now. “A big architecture or design firm will have different hiring requirements than retail establishments,” points out Dunn. “Students need to think about whether the online programs they are considering will provide them with the tools they need to do the kind of work they want to do.” Information on interior design careers is available at Careers in Interior Design.
Another consideration for students is licensing requirements. In many states you cannot call yourself an interior designer unless you achieve a certain level of accredited education, and in some cases, pass the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam. For information on licensing requirements visit ASID's Factsheet of Interior Design Registration Laws.
Summary
Students should do lots of research to help choose the right online interior design program to meet their educational and career needs.
- Art Schools
- Business Schools
- Cooking Schools
- Nursing Schools
- Fashion Schools
- Interior Design Schools
- Online Schools
- Film Schools
- Graphic Design Schools
- Photography Schools
- Design Schools
- Culinary Schools
- Computer Schools
- Web Design Schools
- Health Care Degrees
- Advertising Schools
- Architecture Schools
- Performing Arts Schools
- Environmental Education
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