Best Online Interior Design Bachelor's Degrees

Interior design may sometimes be offered as a concentration for certain related degrees and/or degree levels. For example, there are MS in Architecture degrees that offer interior design as a concentration and associate's degrees that offer a pre-professional concentration in interior design. Concentrations within an interior design degree are fairly rare and may be offered more commonly at the graduate level. Depending on the degree, master's or doctoral students in interior design may be able to pursue concentrations like:

• Environmental design: This focuses on designing sustainable or ecologically-friendly designs
• Exhibition design: Students pursuing this concentration deal with designing for various types of displays in museums and galleries
• Emerging technologies: In this concentration, students focus on utilizing new technologies in the field
• Theory and criticism: This concentrates on methods in the field and evaluation of these theories as applied

Free online interior design courses and materials are available to students, but a traditional degree in the field helps ensure that students receive a well-rounded education. Typically, this requires undergraduate students to take general education courses and electives along with their interior design and interior decorating courses. At the graduate level, students generally focus their studies with core interior design courses and electives in the field. Most interior design programs include studio time and projects to give students hands-on experience with designs and technology used in the field. Some common courses for interior design degrees include:

• CAD- Computer-aided design courses help train students to use this drafting tool to create their designs. Students also practice editing their designs and creating presentations.
• Materials and textiles- Students explore the different properties and characteristics of materials to incorporate into designs. These courses may also touch on how to install different materials.
• Color theory- Courses in color theory help train students to evaluate visually appealing designs and how to use color to create certain looks.

Additional courses that are commonly offered as part of these programs include the following:

• Lighting
• Residential design
• Space planning
• Commercial design
• Sustainable design
• Interior design budgeting
• Building codes/regulations

While traditional bachelor's degree programs take about 4 years to complete, online programs in interior design provide students with some flexibility. Some of these online bachelor's programs enable full-time students to complete the degree in 4 years or less, while part-time students may be able to complete their degree within 7 years. In order to complete the degree faster, students may also utilize transfer credit that counts towards the 120 credits typically required and/or self-paced formats that may allow them to work at a faster pace. Students who already have earned an associate's degree may be able to earn their bachelor's in the field in as little as 2 years.

Accreditation is usually offered at the institution- or program-levels. Regional accreditation bodies typically accredit schools and all of the school's degree programs in general, which helps demonstrate to students that the institution offers quality academic programs that have met set guidelines.

Program-level accreditation is usually given by an organization specific to the subject matter. In the case of online bachelor's degree programs in interior design, some of these programs are accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). This non-profit group helps ensure that students receive quality interior design education with industry-specific guidelines. Other accrediting bodies in the field include the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and the National Kitchen & Bath Association. Program-level accreditation can help students know these programs are some of the best for preparing students for a future career and/or may also be preferred by some employers.

Licensure requirements for interior designers vary by state. Some states may require licensure to use the title 'interior designer', while others do not. States that do require licensure commonly require professionals to pass the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam. In order to sit for the exam, students must have a bachelor's degree and at least 2 years of work experience in the field. However, some states may have their own exam, such as California's exam administered by the California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC). Various interior design-related organizations also offer a range of optional certifications in the field to demonstrate professionals' expertise, such as certification in environmental design.

Some students with a background in interior design may go on to pursue other related careers that may have other licensure/certification requirements. For instance, students who become urban or regional planners may pursue certification from the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) if they meet education and experience requirements. Licensure for these professionals was only required in the state of New Jersey, as of 2016.

Many graduates with a degree in interior design go on to become interior designers or other closely related titles, with some choosing to become an interior architect. These designers may work in a variety of areas/industries, such as furniture design, cruise line design, green product design, stadium design, and more. Some may also specialize in particular types of designs and work as land use planners, campus planners, or historic preservation specialists.

Although the specific requirements may vary by job, some other possible careers for graduates with an interior design degree include:

Source: *PayScale.com

How to Become an Interior Designer

While there may be additional education or certification requirements depending on the position, such as those required for becoming a Certified Interior Decorator, in general, education requirements for interior designers consist of a bachelor's degree. Students may have training in interior design or interior architecture, but also usually need some training in CAD. Some students may decide to pursue optional certification in the field, and some states may require interior designers to obtain a license.

Once they begin their careers, interior designers typically help plan the indoor space of a particular area. They usually oversee this process from start to finish and help order materials, create designs, supervise construction, and ensure customer satisfaction. As of 2019, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) listed a median annual salary of $56,040 for interior designers. The BLS also reported a decline in jobs of 5% for these professionals from 2019 to 2029.

How to Become an Urban or Regional Planner

Students with bachelor's degrees may qualify for careers as junior planners or planning assistants, but usually urban or regional planners need a master's degree. Depending on the position, students may also need to have some prior work experience. Sometimes this experience may come through the form of internships and other opportunities to work on real planning projects. Certification is available to interested professionals in the field.

Urban and regional planners help determine land use for communities. They may design spaces based on community feedback and needs, as well as work closely with local government and authorities through the entire planning and approval process. The BLS stated that these planners made a median annual salary of $74,350, as of 2019 and had a positive job outlook of 11% from 2019 to 2029. This outlook is much faster than the national average.

Each student usually needs to begin their financial aid journey by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form helps students see if there are any federal loans and/or grants that they may qualify for to help pay for school. Another financial aid option is scholarships, which do not have to be paid back. Scholarships are available in a wide range of fields for a wide range of demographics.

In the field of interior design, there are numerous undergraduate and graduate scholarships available. Some organizations, like the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), provide a variety of scholarships for students in interior design, as well as schools, like the New York School of Interior Design. A few examples of scholarships for interior design include:

• The Joel Polsky Prize- This scholarship is offered by the ASID and awards $5,000 to a student who has provided outstanding academic contributions to the field of interior design.
• Geoffrey Bradfield Scholarship- Available to undergraduates at the New York School of Interior Design, this scholarship is awarded to an international student in the field.
• Roslyn and Peter Brandt Scholarship- Another scholarship available at the New York School of Interior Design, but intended for graduate students. This award is given in honor of a beloved faculty member.

When considering an online bachelor's degree in interior design, students may first have to decide between the type of degree they want to earn. BA degrees may have more liberal arts courses, while BS degrees may be more science- and math-focused and BFA degrees more art-focused. Students may also want to look for a program that offers a range of hands-on learning experiences with current technologies in the field and/or gives students the opportunity to apply what they have learned to a final project of some sort. Accreditation from the CIDA and other organizations may indicate that students are choosing a quality interior design program.

Outside of considerations that are specific to interior design, students may also need to think about the cost of a program and how they will pay for school. The availability of scholarships and other financial aid may play a role in the decision-making process. Students may also choose a program based on personal preferences, such as full- or part-time format options, small class sizes, and course duration.

There are several professional organizations in interior design that aim to further advance professionals in the field and help them connect with the interior design community. These organizations provide a wide range of resources and are available at the national and even international levels. While participation is voluntary, students can benefit from many different opportunities these groups offer. A few examples of professional organizations in interior design include:

• American Society of Interior Designers- The ASID not only provides scholarships for interior design students, but also offers membership and ASID chapters to professionals in the field. Interior designers can participate in the group's advocacy efforts, competitions, and events. The organization also offers industry-related news, job postings, and professional development opportunities.
• Interior Design Society- The IDS also offers membership and local chapters, in addition to education opportunities, job listings, and student scholarships. The group consists of over 2,000 designers and holds annual conferences and designer awards.
• International Interior Design Association- Interior designers may also decide to become a member of the IIDA. The group holds a number of annual competitions and awards, including the Interior Architects Diversity in Design Scholarship, as well as events to promote networking and professional development.