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Are you looking for a practical way to earn a living with your graphics arts, decorating, or 3D design experience?
Maybe an interior designer career would interest you.
Article Table of Contents
State Requirements for Interior Designers
If you want the State of Minnesota to certify you, you must hold a bachelor’s degree in interior design.
Otherwise, you may need to at least work toward this training offered by a school accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA).
When you look up the National Council for Design Qualifications, you will see that you need a minimum of two years of full-time experience.
Along with this, you must complete at least 60-90 hours of classroom training.
NCIDQ Exam eligibility requirements for your educational and experience levels may differ from other students.
They also depend on whether you choose the interior design or the architecture tracks.
The state may also require you to take continuing education courses every couple of years.
Topics covered may include safety, health, environmental, or design effects.
Continuing education hours (a.k.a. “professional development hours” or “PDH”) may also cover a variety of legal and ethical issues pertaining to design.
Perhaps you will learn new local municipal building codes you must beware of as a designer, too.
5 Interior Design Schools in Minnesota
Minneapolis College of Art and Design
MCAD offers an art and design program that covers color theory, texture and material composition, and space planning.
This design school also focuses on sustainability, which will prepare you to reduce your carbon footprint as you create environmentally friendly interior designs.
Customize your educational plan with an academic advisor and choose one of several art degree programs.
The University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota offers a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, which the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA) has approved.
This will prepare you to secure permanent employment after graduation provided you also gain experience while still enrolled in classes.
At this school, you will choose a preferred interior design specialization, such as residential or commercial design.
You can work in either the private or public sectors, such as home staging, assisted living room planning, or film and TV set creation.
Learn different architectural styles from different areas too and the art behind setting up aesthetic and practical living or working spaces.
Art Institutes International
This school offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design program that will provide you access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.
You will also have the chance to experience real-world designing projects while working as an assistant and enrolled in school.
The Art Institute International has a strong affiliation with the American Society of Interior Designers and will fund your first year of ASID membership.
You can study online and still use your training to become certified in Minnesota.
Century College
ASID recognizes Century College, and this White Bear Lake school is connected to the state system.
Learn color theory, furniture and space planning, and material, textures, or lighting design.
While in school, you will practice what your instructors taught you as you carry out hands-on projects as examples.
This two-year program will prepare you for the NCIDQ certification exam.
Design Arts Seminars, Inc.
This school may fulfill the Continuing Education Requirements required by the state of Minnesota every two years.
Check with the Minnesota Board to track recent changes about these mandatory educational updates.
Design Arts Seminars offers live webinars and on-demand video workshops and experience training for Minnesota students who know it is time to update their skills.
These courses do use creative examples to make a point.
However, they do not just cover the physical aspects of designing interior spaces.
Relevant training sessions also provide information about health and wellness, sustainability, and the social impacts of architecture and design.
Interior Design Schools in Minnesota – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis College of Art and Design | 2501 Stevens Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55404 |
| The University of Minnesota | Minneapolis, MN 55455 |
| Art Institutes International | 1501 Biscayne Boulevard, Suite 100 Miami, FL 33132-1418 |
| Century College | 3300 Century Ave N White Bear Lake, MN 55110 |
| Design Arts Seminars, Inc. | 111 NE 1st Street Floor 8 Suite 358 Miami FL 33132 |
Salary
You may make an average of $51,959 per year as of February 2022 when working as an interior designer in Minneapolis.
Other opportunities appear in Eden Prairie, Chaska, or Burnsville job postings, but do not just limit yourself to those locations.
Keep working while in school, and that will increase your chance of securing a high-paying, full-time position once you have completed your courses.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $51,959 |
| St. Paul | $51,959 |
| Duluth | $46,257 |
| Rochester | $47,233 |
| Burnsville | $51,812 |
| Albany | $46,053 |
| Barrett | $45,436 |
| Chandler | $43,048 |
| Dover | $46,970 |
| Esko | $46,140 |
Regional Salary in Minnesota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth, MN-WI | 30 | $51,940 | $24.97 | $77,870 | $34,090 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 970 | $65,870 | $31.67 | $103,520 | $35,010 |
| Rochester, MN | 40 | $68,930 | $33.14 | $98,960 | $35,980 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an interior designer?
The length of time it takes to become an interior designer varies depending on your level of education and experience.
Most people complete a degree program that lasts around four years.
However, if you already have some design experience or are willing to learn on your own, you may be able to shorten this time frame.
What happens if I do not have an interior designer license?
You would either have to apply for one after completing the necessary training or request a reciprocal license from another state.
If you do not have a license yet, the state will not allow you to use “Interior Designer” as your job title.
Even if you perform some of the same duties as a certified designer, you will still need to answer to someone else who has the state-mandated certification.
Why do I need an interior designer license?
It will help you establish your credibility in the state of Minnesota, or any other location where you practice, for that matter.
The licensing also ensures that you understand the health, environmental, legal, and ethical aspects of working in this field.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Certified Interior Designer
Interior Design Schools by State