Types of Interior Design Degrees
Interior design degrees come in a host of different acronyms. Read on to find out the differences between completing a certificate program, or getting an A.A. or a B.F.A. in interior design. From length of study to professional outlook, the degree you choose shapes your future in the interior design field.
Interior Design Certificate Programs
An interior design certificate program is the shortest, most basic training you can get before entering the field of professional interior design. Rather than requiring that you study full time for several years, as you would need to for a more involved degree, according to the Interior Design Institute, a certificate program can total as few as 100 hours of coursework before you earn your diploma.
Advantages:
- Lower time commitment and tuition than an extended program.
- Good way to find out if you love and are suited to the interior design field.
- Easier to balance with outside employment, so you can work while you are in school. This is especially valuable if you are transitioning to interior design from another career.
- Can be used as a stepping stone to a further degree if you decide to pursue more advanced studies.
Disadvantages:
- More limited field of study than other degrees, so you are unlikely to discover the ideal niche to specialize in as a professional.
- Less impressive to prospective employers and clients than a more rigorous degree.
Associate of Arts Degree in Interior Design
An associate degree is designed to be completed in two full years of undergraduate study. These programs, like the one at American River College, often focus on functional, practical coursework that is meant to prepare you to work in the field as soon as possible.
Advantages:
- Learn about industry standards, like the guidelines of the American Disabilities Act.
- Prepare to do hands-on work in the field with a minimum of class time before you are ready to be employed.
- Lower admissions thresholds than many B.F.A. programs.
Disadvantages:
- Less advanced or in-depth aesthetic training than a four-year degree.
- Larger number of required courses and fewer electives than a B.F.A., so you have little control over choosing your coursework and developing a curriculum unique to your interests.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design
A Bachelor of Fine Arts requires a four-year commitment to full-time coursework. It can take place within a traditional liberal arts college or can be a specific concentration at an art school.
Advantages:
- Access to a wide repertoire of art and design theory courses, which helps students build a larger aesthetic vocabulary and shape a distinctive artistic perspective in their work.
- Earning a B.F.A. is as prestigious as earning any other traditional four-year college diploma, so it is more likely to open the door to a professional future or a graduate degree program in another career path if you decide to change your goals later.
- Four-year programs like the one at Parsons can include mentored, hands-on internships at the professional level so that you build your resume while enjoying support and critique from experienced leaders.
- A B.F.A. program usually prepares you to sit for the professional licensing exam given by the National Council of Interior Design Qualification, which widens your career opportunities.
Disadvantages:
- Substantial time commitment and financial investment.
- Larger number of barriers for program entry, so it can be difficult to earn admittance without a strong academic and artistic record.