Online Interior Design/Decoration Courses - Worth it?

I am an aspiring Interior Designer/Decorator. Most job openings I see on Monster/Careerbuilder/Yahoo! Hot Jobs/Etc. are for Interior Architects, but the ones I do find for Design/Decorator usually require lots of education and experience.

The 'type' of Design/Decor I'm looking to do is Residential. I've also opened up to retail (such as department stores/furniture stores/etc.). Other than that, I'm not sure I could get into any of it. Especially considering my limitations... I can only do an online course. I must work full time to support my debts and my fiance and myself. Plus, I cannot afford the 'good' schools. Not on top of my current existing tuition payment of 220/mo, at least.

So I've been looking at online Design courses. Sheffield (www.sheffield.edu/htmlsrc/interior-design-course.html), being the first I'd found. And Lifestyle Learning Direct (www.lifestylelearningdirect.com/course/interior_design_decoration), being the second. I am torn between the two. I want the most bang for my buck. The most in-depth online course I can get for under $2000. I know, it's asking a lot... Also, I'd like to know if doing one of these online courses is going to get my the certificate needed to be able to practice as an Interior Designer/Decorator and maybe even in the future as a Consultant.

I make about $1300/mo right now, and that's barely getting us by (in addition to fiance's income). Where I live, that income is a little above average for my age, but I also have a lot more bills than most people my age. Mistakes have been made. I don't want to make any more. :(

Any help/insight is MUCH appreciated. Thank you all!

Hi
I just graduated with an Associates Degree in Interior Design. This field is very challenging to break into. However, in Utah anyone can be a self employed residential designer because there is no licensing laws. So,if you have enough talent and determination, and I mean a ton of determination, go for it. My school was the LDS business college. They have a lot of courses that are early morning and evening courses. If possible I would get a minnimum 2 year degree to open doors for yourself. The community college also has a program that will soon be a 2 year program.
If you really want this, get a job with more flexible hours and get a 2 year degree. Also, you could get a job at a furniture store or a merchandising position until you graduate. That type of experience will look good on your resume. I discorage the online courses. Instead, go to school part time as you have time and funds to pay for the tuition and get a job somewhere in the industry. Good luck
P.S go to the NCIDQ website to find out what you are up against in other states to obtain licenses to practice interior design

for what it's worth i too have a talent for decorating so i looked into on line courses my budget would not allow me to attend a good design school i researched various on line schools and courses. After much research I decided on penn foster it took alittle longer than anticapated but got through it. have a full time job as a resturant manager nite shift. So it worked very well with my schedule. I received my certificate in july if i were you i would look into it it might be exactly what your looking for. All though there were times i wish i had an instructor right by my side i could call or e mail an instructor when ever i hit a bump, and yes they were GREAT with getting back with me in a timely fashion. check it out penn foster.com good luck

residential design is currently a dead industry. i am a designer with a bachelors degree and seven years experience, and can NOT find a job. i have been laid off from my last two jobs, and the market is just getting worse. until the economy turns around, i would not waste any money in a design degree.

mo in Augusta, Georgia said: residential design is currently a dead industry. i am a designer with a bachelors degree and seven years experience, and can NOT find a job. i have been laid off from my last two jobs, and the market is just getting worse. until the economy turns around, i would not waste any money in a design degree.

I think you hit it on the nose but I am not giving up, I am just getting ready to finish an A.S. Degree which I think is all I am going to do but I am going to keep trying. Hopefully the economy will change and I think the Design Industry is going to get a big boost in the future, (I hope)! Who are all these people on HGTV, some are not even qualified I don't think.

I need help! I've been graduated for four years now and I have not been able to find a job! I have a bachelors degree from an International Design school. I live in Western Mass and there are not even any jobs posted in my area. I don't know what to do and need some direction. Interior Design is my passion and I'm afraid that I might have to give it up and go back to school for something else. Anyone have any words of wisdom?

drive down the coast to NY,
like London at the moment about your best chance, or middle east!

I know exactly what you're going through Nicole. In October I was laid off from my interior design job at one of the largest firms in my state. It is really tough out there right now for the design community. Jobs are scarce and competition is fierce. I wish I had some advice for you or myself for that matter! :) All I can offer is my sympathy.

When I was first laid off, I decided to just find any old job to pay the bills and gave up on design completely. I was absolutely miserable in that job and lasted about 3 months. Now, I am doing everything that I can to find anything that is design-related (furniture stores, freelance CAD work, internships just to keep my hand in design) and have started my own design business. It is tough to have your passion derailed by a horrible economy but if it is something you love, don't give up on it.

please
can you help me to get bechelor in interior design online...
and please i wanna know how much it will cost
and every thing related to this decipline..
thanks alot

please visit the site (www.decoratorsecrets.com) it help you to get information about interior design online course

Hi,
I am living in Norway and would like to get an online degree in Interior desing. I was trying to find some ratings for the schools which have this kind of education. There is so many of them worldwide and it's so hard to find the top ones.
Appreciate any help!
Barbara