Look for programs that carry an accreditation from the Council for Interior Design Accreditation to make sure that the curriculum is up-to-date and provides students with all the necessary skills to call themselves professional interior designers. Accredited schools include courses on computer-aided design, drawing skills, fabric identification fluency and space analysis, among others.
Most local community colleges offer a 2-year degree in interior design. Associate degrees often combine basic education courses with technical design classes such as visual presentation, color coordination and estimating skills.
Many private and state universities and colleges offer interior design degrees. Some are geared more toward the fine arts arena, while others offer the degrees through the applied science departments. Miami University has a fine arts degree in Architecture and Interior Design, while the Humber School of Applied Technology in Ontario offers its 4-year degree as a Bachelor of Applied Arts. Seek recommendations from future employers, professionals working in the field and industry trade groups for guidance as to which degree program will provide the kind of training for your specific career goals.
Some schools specialize in creative programs that are geared toward commercial applications. The Ringling College of Art & Design, for example, offers students an environment that is rich in core programs that support the artistic endeavors of its student body. The curriculum includes classes in architectural drafting, art, lighting and the history of interior design. Schools such as the Harrington College of Design in Chicago and Bauder College in Atlanta devote more energy into their interior design programs since they are specialty schools and work to develop a creative atmosphere on their campuses.
The American Society of Interior Designers is an organization that offers continuing education to designers who already have obtained degrees. The group supports a number of online degree programs, including Academy of Art University, which offers associate and bachelor's degrees and a Master of Fine Arts in interior design, and the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, which offers a Bachelor of Science degree in interior design.