What You Need to Know About an Interior Design Degree

Interior designers greatly influence people's lives by creating the surroundings in which their clients live, work, and play. The may work with architects and builders to design the interiors of office buildings, restaurants, and custom-built houses, as well as with individual clients to develop the homes of their dreams.

Here's what you need to know to pursue this degree.

Interior Design Degree Coursework
There are a variety of courses offered through traditional programs or by earning your interior design degree online. The curricula in most interior design degree programs generally feature courses in:

    Art history
    Art theory and criticism
    Drawing, drafting, color, and basic design principles
    Space planning
    Construction
    Safety and building codes
    Computer-aided design (CAD)

Types of Interior Design Degrees

Associate of science. An associate's degree generally takes two years and prepares you with the foundation to begin working in the field as an assistant after graduation or to further pursue a bachelor's degree in interior design.

Associate of science in kitchen and bath design. Kitchens and baths are the most used rooms in any house and typically offer the most resale value of any other room. Professionals in this interior design specialty learn to transform a regular kitchen or bath space into a luxurious, high-end masterpiece.

Bachelor of science. Bachelor's degrees are generally four-year degrees that give students the tools they need to succeed as independent designers or work with an agency.

Master of fine arts (MFA). Two-and-a-half year MFA degrees often mix studio work with a comprehensive course of academics. Most curricula integrate theory, design, and technology and may include hands-on work in a firm or corporate department.

General interior designers may also choose to earn optional certifications in residential kitchen and bath design from the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). There are several different levels of certification that professionals can receive through the organization's training seminars and certification exams.

Career Opportunities
Design degrees open up a world of professional options. In addition to being a designer for a large firm, a corporation or running your own firm, job opportunities include:

    Facility Manager
    Sales Representative
    Set Designer
    Space Planner

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job opportunities are expected to grow 19 percent from 2008 to 2018, faster than the average for all occupations. With homeowners, business owners and builders' growing interest in sustainability, there's also a wealth of potential for those who specialize in "green" design.

Salaries
The mean annual wage was $51,990 in 2009, according to the BLS. Individuals holding degrees in this field can expect the highest levels of employment and salaries in the following industries:

    Specialized design services: $52,400
    Architectural, engineering and related services: $56,060
    Furniture stores: $48,510
    Building material and supplies dealers: $45,930

For creative, busy professionals, earning a degree online can create many new opportunities in the design field.