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Have you dreamed about a career where you can seamlessly blend creativity and imagination?
If so, becoming an interior designer may be the best career path for you.
Entering the interior design field allows you to focus on technical requirements to develop functional spaces within commercial and residential properties.
Unlike interior decorators, who do not need formal training, interior designers who wish to work in Connecticut must meet specific academic and experience requirements to earn national recognition.
If this sounds like a career you would like to pursue, keep reading to learn more about the Connecticut state requirements, schools within the state, typical salary, and the most frequently asked questions!
Article Table of Contents
State Requirements for Interior Designers
To use the “interior designer in Connecticut” title, you cannot simply just make this claim.
Instead, you must take the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) exam offered by the CIDQ (Council for Interior Design Qualification) following the minimum associate degree educational requirement.
In addition to the educational requirement, you must also work under a licensed architect or interior designer for at least four years to be eligible for the examination.
Those who hold a bachelor’s degree in interior design only need two years of work experience with a licensed professional.
In summary, until the work and educational experience are fulfilled, you do not qualify for the exam.
5 Interior Design Schools in Connecticut
The first step in becoming an interior designer is to go to school.
Several interior design programs at schools scattered across Connecticut exist.
Academy of Art University
Although headquartered in San Francisco, California, the Academy of Art University offers an online option available to students across the United States.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture and Design diploma prepares students for a career in interior design while completing the coursework from home.
Using a variety of online sharing platforms, peers and professors can regularly submit work, discuss, and share ideas.
Tuition for the Academy of Art University is $21,000 per year.
Norwalk Community College
This small public community college offers a variety of disciplines within the interior design program so students can take different paths after graduation.
With very affordable tuition of $13,000 per year, Norwalk Community College has an associate degree in interior design.
Although the school may not be as acclaimed as others on this list, it offers an affordable alternative for those looking to get a two-year degree in interior design.
Paier College of Art, Hamden
Paier College of Art features a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design Degree, which prepares students for a career using employment and educational opportunities.
Since the relationship between architecture and interior design is highlighted throughout the curriculum, students learn basic construction methods and structural principles while taking studio courses that include conceptual development and design.
Tuition for the interior design degree is $17,000 per year without room, board, and class materials.
University of Bridgeport
The University of Bridgeport is considered the second-best interior design school in the state and offers a bachelor’s degree in interior design.
Located not far from New York City, the University of Bridgeport enjoy the design influences from the city, which help make the interior design program regionally recognized.
The tuition for an interior design four-year bachelor’s degree is $32,000 per year.
University of New Haven
The University of New Haven features a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design and a Pre-Architecture degree.
In this program, students learn various skills including materials and codes, interior systems, construction documents and architectural blueprints, sketching and rendering for interiors, and lighting design.
The base tuition without room, board, and class materials for this program is $38,000 per year.
Those who wish to continue with their education by entering an architectural graduate program will need additional classes.
Interior Design Schools in Connecticut – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Academy of Art University | 79 New Montgomery St. San Francisco, CA 94105 |
| Norwalk Community College | 188 Richards Ave. Norwalk, CT 06854 |
| Paier College | 84 Iranistan Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06604 |
| University of Bridgeport | 126 Park Avenue Bridgeport, CT 06604 |
| University of New Haven | 300 BOSTON POST RD WEST HAVEN, CT 06516 |
Salary
According to Salary.com, the median salary range for entry-level interior designers is $49,000, with pay ranging from $30,000 to $58,000.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $55,402 |
| New Haven | $52,851 |
| Hartford | $52,417 |
| Stamford | $56,122 |
| Waterbury | $52,574 |
| Norwalk | $56,122 |
| Danbury | $54,141 |
| New Britain | $52,671 |
| West Hartford | $52,417 |
| Greenwich | $56,122 |
Regional Salary in Connecticut
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT | 280 | $72,730 | $34.96 | $101,440 | $52,400 |
| Danbury, CT | 30 | $66,630 | $32.04 | $104,170 | $46,450 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | 170 | $70,100 | $33.7 | $98,600 | $49,980 |
| New Haven, CT | 110 | $65,270 | $31.38 | $83,340 | $46,540 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Sources
- https://portal.ct.gov/DCP/Common-Elements/Consumer-Facts-and-Contacts/Interior-Designers
- https://interior-design-colleges.com/university-of-bridgeport
- https://interior-design-colleges.com/norwalk-community-college
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours of experience am I required to have in Connecticut before taking the NCIDQ exam?
Those with an interior design associate degree with 60 semester hours must have three years (5,280 hours) of full-time work experience under a certified interior designer.
Those with an interior design associate degree with 40 semester hours must have four years (7,040 hours) of full-time experience with a certified professional.
Those with a bachelor’s degree in interior design must have two years (3,520 hours) of full-time work experience and those with a bachelor’s degree in architecture must have three years (5,280) of full-time work experience.
What kind of jobs do interior designers get in Connecticut?
There are countless job types across the state that interior design graduates can achieve.
For instance, some enter high-end furniture stores like Ethan Allen or as interior design specialists with companies like Home Depot.
Others work for bath and kitchen design companies, contracting firms, and architectural organizations.
Additionally, many interior designers work independently as freelancers or in real estate.
What is involved in the NCIDQ exam?
The exam is split into three parts taken at different times: IDFX (Interior Design Fundamentals Exam), IDPX (Interior Design Professional Exam, and PRAC (Practicum Exam).
The registration fee for the IDFX exam is $295, IPX costs $250, and the PRAC exam has a fee of $455.
If you sign up for any of these exams and cancel, there is a $150 fee per canceled exam.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Certified Interior Designer
Interior Design Schools by State