Which Top Schools Have Interior Design Programs Near Mesa, AZ?

Information on Interior Design Careers in Mesa, AZ

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), you usually need a bachelor's degree and training to become an interior designer. Several schools near Mesa, Arizona, offer programs leading to certificates and associate's degrees in interior design. These formal, postsecondary programs may be enough to secure you a position in the field.

The BLS also states that licensure requirements vary by state. The Arizona South Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) notes that Arizona has no interior design licensure requirements. ASID goes on to mention that in order to remain competitive in interior design, you may want to sit for the certification examination administered by the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). This is used as the standard for licensure in the states that have such a requirement. In order to qualify for the NCIDQ exam, you must have a total of six years of design education and work experience. Usually, this means a bachelor's degree and two years of experience. Professional members of ASID have all passed the NCIDQ exam. You may become an allied member of ASID if you have either six years of work experience or a 2-year degree. ASID membership can be an important first step toward your career in interior design.

Salary Information and Job Opportunities for Interior Designers in Mesa, AZ

In a May 2011 survey, the BLS determined the mean annual salary for interior designers in the Mesa vicinity to be nearly $54,000. This is about $1,000 more than the national figure for interior designers. The BLS also stated that nationwide employment opportunities for interior designers are expected to increase 19% from 2010-2020. This growth is about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Interior Design Certificate Programs at Schools near Mesa, AZ

Glendale Community College

• Program Name: Certificate of Completion in Interior Merchandising
• Program Length: Less than one year
• Tuition: $76 per credit hour for in-state residents; $317 per credit hour for out-of-state residents (cost for the 2011-2012 academic year)
• Prerequisites: Must be at least 18 years of age or earn a high score on SATs and have parental permission
• School Type: 2-year, public; over 21,000 students (all undergraduate)
• Address: 6000 W. Olive Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85302
• Phone: 623-845-3000

In less than a year, you can complete the 30-credit Certificate of Completion program in interior merchandising at Glendale Community College. You must complete 21 credits in required courses that include color and design, modern architecture and furniture, historical architecture and furniture, interior design drafting, fabrics and interior materials. You must earn a grade of C or better in all required courses. The remaining nine credit requirements can be completed with elective courses, such as advertising, marketing, upholstery and furniture construction. The school notes that this certificate program is essentially the core of the program leading to an Associate of Applied Science.

Mesa Community College

• Program Name: Certificate of Completion in Interior Merchandising
• Program Length: Less than one year
• Tuition: $76 per credit hour for in-county residents; $300 per credit hour out-of-county residents; $317 per credit hour for out-of-state residents (cost for 2012-2013 academic year)
• Prerequisites: Must be at least 18 years of age or have parental permission; placement test
• School Type: 2-year, public; over 26,000 students (all undergraduate)
• Address: 1833 W. Southern Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85202
• Phone: 480-461-7000

The interior merchandising certificate of completion program requires that you maintain a C average or better in all seven of the core courses. These include an introduction to interior design, drafting for interior design and courses in historical and modern architecture and furniture. You're required to complete an additional nine credits by way of three elective courses in areas such as cabinetmaking, drawing, floral design, human relations and photography. Electives allow you to focus on a particular area of interior design that you find most interesting.

Interior Design Associate's Degree Programs at Schools near Mesa, AZ

Phoenix College

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design
• Program Length: Two years
• Tuition: $76 per credit hour for in-county residents; $317 per credit hour for out-of-county and out-of-state residents
• Prerequisites: Must be at least 18 years of age or have parental permission
• School Type: 2-year, public; over 12,000 students (all undergraduate)
• Address: 1202 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85013
• Phone: 602-264-2492

The associate's degree program can prepare you for an entry-level position in interior design. The school recommends that the first two courses in your program should be an introductory overview of interior design and a course in architectural drafting. In addition to general education courses, your regimen should contain instruction in color theory and application, historical and modern architecture and furniture, drawing and rendering, fabrics and AutoCAD (computer-aided design). You're required to spend 5-6 hours each week in studio sessions. In addition, you must complete a 240-hour internship with a school-approved firm that deals with interior design. You also have the opportunity to join the student chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers.

Scottsdale Community College

• Program Name: Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design
• Program Length: Two years
• Tuition: $76 per credit hour for in-county residents; $317 per credit hour for out-of-county students and nonresidents
• Prerequisites: Must be at least 18 years of age or have parental permission
• School Type: 2-year, public; over 11,000 students (all undergraduate)
• Address: 9000 E. Chaparral Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85265
• Phone: 480-423-6000

Located about seven miles from Mesa, Scottsdale Community College offers a 61-66-credit program leading to an Associate of Applied Science in Interior Design. The general education requirements consist of courses in the humanities and fine arts, social and behavioral sciences, natural sciences, math composition and oral communication. Interior design courses include kitchen and bath design, architectural CAD, space planning, interior materials and presentation techniques. Through practical exercises, studio courses help you learn to recognize, research and remedy problems and issues in interior design.

Post-Degree Programs Offered at Schools near Mesa, AZ

Mesa Community College

• Program Name: Certificate of Completion in Interior Design (Advanced)
• Program Length: Less than one year
• Tuition: $76 per credit hour for in-county residents; $300 per credit hour for out-of-county residents; $317 per unit for out-of-state residents (cost for 2012-2013 academic year)
• Prerequisites: Must hold an Associate of Applied Science or its equivalent; must receive permission from program director
• School Type: 2-year, public; over 26,000 students (all undergraduate)
• Address: 1833 W. Southern Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85202
• Phone: 480-461-7000

Approved by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation, this 27-credit, post-degree program can enhance your professional status as an interior designer. The curriculum consists of lighting, acoustics, ventilation, heating, air-conditioning and advanced presentation skills. Additional studio work is accompanied by an internship that is supervised by a professional interior designer. You also develop a portfolio of your work that can be to your advantage in securing a position.

Scottsdale Community College

• Program Name: Certificate of Completion in Interior Design: Professional Level
• Program Length: Less than one year
• Tuition: $76 per credit hour for in-county residents; $317 per credit hour for out-of-county residents
• Prerequisites: Must hold an Associate of Applied Science; must receive permission from program director
• School Type: 2-year, public; over 11,000 students (all undergraduate)
• Address: 9000 E. Chaparral Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85265
• Phone: 480-423-6000

This post-degree, 27-credit certificate program provides you with additional technical and specialized instruction in various aspects of the field of interior design. Core courses include subjects such as codes and regulations, building systems, commercial design and lighting design. In addition, you're required to complete three credits each in arts or humanities, sociology and either anthropology or psychology. You complete the program by serving a 3-credit interior design internship at a school-partnered facility.