Which Schools Offer Interior Design Degrees in the Jacksonville, FL Area?

Employment and License Info for Interior Designers near Jacksonville, FL

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a bachelor's degree is usually necessary to work as an interior designer; however, a lesser degree paired with extensive experience can still be sufficient to qualify you for licensure as an interior designer in Florida. For example, you can qualify if you have a bachelor's degree from an accredited school and 3,520 hours of qualified work experience or if you have an associate's degree and 5,280 hours of qualified work experience. You'll also have to pass the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam.

Job Outlook and Salary Info for Interior Designers near Jacksonville, FL

Interior designers nationwide were expected to experience 19% employment growth between 2010 and 2020, which was about as fast as the average for all occupations, based on BLS statistics. This projected growth was attributed to an increasing need to make homes and offices more environmentally friendly and readily accessible. As of May 2011, the BLS reported that the 280 interior designers employed in Jacksonville, FL, earned an average of roughly $50,000 a year.

Interior Design Technology Associate's Degree Program in Jacksonville, FL

Florida State College at Jacksonville

• Program Name: Associate in Science - Interior Design Technology
• Program Length: 75 credit hours (about 2.5 years, full-time)
• Tuition: $102 per credit hour for in-state residents, $399 per credit hour for non-residents (as of 2012-2013 academic year)
• School Type: 4-year, primarily associate's, public; about 31,00 students (all undergraduate)
• Address: 501 W. State St., Jacksonville, FL 32202
• Phone: (904) 359-5433

The interior design technology program at Florida State College uses a combination of laboratory, communication and theory learning strategies. After earning your degree, you'll be ready for a career at an interior design studio or architectural firm as a design assistant, CAD operator, space planner or sales representative. Your associate's degree and the proper amount of work experience can qualify you to take the licensing exam and become a registered interior designer. Your coursework will include commercial interiors, textiles, building construction management, drafting and building codes.

Interior Design Bachelor's Degree Program near Jacksonville, FL

University of Florida

• Program Name: Bachelor of Interior Design
• Program Length: 4 years, full-time
• Tuition: $6,170 per academic year for in-state students, $28,448 per academic year for out-of-state residents (as of 2012-2013 academic year)
• School Type: 4-year, public; approximately 50,000 students (about 33,000 undergraduates)
• Address: 331 ARCH, P.O. Box 115701, Gainesville, FL 32611
• Phone: (352) 392-4836

Located about 50 miles from Jacksonville in Gainesville, the University of Florida features an accredited program where you'll have the opportunity to take trips to installations, firms and exhibitions. When you become an upper-division student, you'll be able to enroll in either an international program or the Preservation Institute. The program also requires students to take a field experience where they'll be exposed to professional opportunities. The curriculum covers architectural interiors, communication systems, computer applications, sustainable solutions and color theory. After earning your degree, you'll be ready to work in offices, healthcare facilities, residences and the hospitality industry.

Interior Design Master's Degree Program near Jacksonville, FL

University of Florida

• Program Name: Master of Interior Design
• Program Length: 1-4 years, full-time, depending on undergraduate education
• Tuition: $12,590 per academic year for in-state residents, $29,984 per academic year for out-of-state residents (as of 2012-2013 academic year)
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree in any field
• Admissions Requirements: Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, statement of intent, letters of recommendation, portfolio
• School Type: 4-year, public; approximately 50,000 students (about 17,000 graduate students)
• Address: 331 ARCH, P.O. Box 115701, Gainesville, FL 32611
• Phone: (352) 392-4836

One requirement of the master's degree program at the University of Florida is a written research thesis that includes literature review, original research and study conclusions. While earning your master's, you'll learn about problem solving skills and research methods, in addition to developing a specialization. The university also offers a doctoral program in interior design, which is one of only a handful of such programs available across the nation.