Though the courses and the subject matter are generally the same, design schools offer different levels of education when it comes to programs in interior design. There are schools that offer certification programs, diplomas in interior design, associates degrees, and bachelor’s degrees. A number of institutions offer post graduate degrees in interior design while some offer introductory courses that will usually last for a couple of months.

These different levels of education provide different degrees of knowledge in preparation for the prospective interior designer’s career. Various design schools offer courses lasting for a few months. These courses generally cover the basics of interior design and give the student enough information to cover the aesthetic aspect of the field. More extensive courses are offered, granting associate degrees, bachelor degrees and post graduate degrees on interior design. These courses usually take years to finish, ranging from two years for the associate to more than four years for the post graduate degrees. Completion of a baccalaureate program or getting a bachelor’s degree will usually make a graduate academically qualified to become a professional in the field of interior design. These courses will provide the student the knowledge needed to start a successful career in interior design, this knowledge includes business know how as well. Some institutions offer diplomas in interior design while some community colleges and technical institutes offer certificates in interior design. Certificate programs usually take about two years to finish, with certificates being granted upon completion of the course. These are mostly not credited and such trainings are usually for support staff at a design firm and not for a full fledged interior designer. Since there is no industry set standard for interior design in the United States, a qualification exam (NCIDQ exam) is usually taken after six years of design experience. Passing this exam is the standard method of recognition for professionals in this field.

Being an interior designer requires the appropriate education, the right degree of creativity and years of experience. To start a career in interior design, any would be designer should have the education to handle the demands of the job. Here are some design schools for you to look through and consider in choosing an institution offering interior design courses:

The Illinois Institute of Art
Bradley Academy of Visual Arts
Brooks College in Long Beach California
Harrington College of Design in Chicago, Illinois
The International Academy of Design and Technology
The Art Insititute of Atlanta
The Art Institute of Charlotte
The Art Institute of Colorado
The Art Institute of Florida
The Art Institute of Indianapolis
The Art Institute of Las Vegas
The Art Institute of Ohio
The Art Institute of Ontorio
The Art Institute of California
Art Institute of Portland
The Art Institute of Texas
The Art Institute of Vancouver
The Art Institute of Washington
The Art Institute Tampa
The Art Institutes International Minnesota
Westwood College
Collins College
Center for Professional Development at The New England Institute of Art
Tucson Design College