There are over a 130 schools and universities in the United States and in Canada that are accredited members of the Foundation for Interior Design Education Research, or FIDER, the organization of interior design schools that sets the standards for quality of education and curriculum.

Interior design goes beyond the concept of scientifically arranging furniture and fixtures and thinking up of color schemes and any prospective designer has to go through a very selective process when applying to a FIDER accredited institution. Whatever the institution, choosing the best school should have its basis on the series of classes and the atmosphere of the campus, factors that are applicable to almost any major.

Before considering classes, however, a student first needs to be accepted into a program for interior design. Only a few students are admitted into interior design programs in most schools, mostly due to the lack of adequate facilities and staff. At some schools, all potential interior design students are allowed to take the classes offered in the interior design program before having to apply to the program itself. At other institutions, students undergo their freshman year taking foundation classes and design classes start only on the second year. A letter of intent, a work portfolio, grades and previous experiences are some of the basis for acceptance into these programs.

Each state has its specific set of regulations concerning the level of certification necessary for any interior designer to work there. Students should keep this point in mind when picking a school.

The curriculum of most interior design schools establish the fundamentals, focusing on drawing and drafting, then moving on to more specific subjects such as business ethics and commercial design.

Studying in an Interior design school that offers specialized degree programs can make a big difference in your future profession. Specialized programs allow the students to focus immediately on their main interests. These programs can get a student ahead of his peers, allowing him to start and build his work portfolio faster. When enrolled in specialized programs for interior design, students take courses that apply to all types of interior design, but they mostly focus on subjects that cover the most important principles covering their field of specialization. They will be allowed to work closely with designers who are experienced in that same field of interest and their projects will be related to their chosen field.

An interior designer’s job deals with enhancing the function, quality and safety of any interior. This would mean that a designer can work anywhere. There are several fields of specialization in interior design aside from the most well known field which is residential design. Residential design is the largest division of specialization and holds the possibility of being one’s own boss. Designer’s work in this area focuses on living areas, bedrooms, kitchens and baths.

Another vast sector is corporate design. This involves creating spaces for businesses and helping them succeed, contributing to the happiness, comfort and security of the company’s employees.

Retail is another option. Retail design does not only mean designing store layouts, but includes buying for the stores or planning the layout of the store’s merchandise.

Space planning is also growing, attracting designers who are experts in optimizing spaces, with jobs ranging from designing residential closets to planning layouts for corporate workstations.

Television, film, theater and other aspects of the entertainment industry are also other options for specialization. Designers can help design sets, coordinating colors and creating looks specific to a certain era.

Facilities management is also another choice. This field involves the design and maintenance of office and industry interiors, hospitals, retirement communities, universities, museums and even the occasional park. Working as a facilities manager also covers the aspect of coordinating the company’s move to other locations, renovation, expansion and upgrades for the company’s design.

Education is also on the designer’s list of options for future professions. Design education is a fast growing branch of learning and has greatly increased the need for qualified instructors. However, many educational institutions require more than just a degree in interior design and may sometimes require a form of teaching credential.

Your opportunities are only limited by your imagination. Patience and diligence is required when starting any career, but with your degree and your specialized knowledge in a specific field, you can be assured that someone is sure to hire you in time.