Interior Designer Program
How to Select the Right One Near Bellevue Wisconsin

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design degree program near Bellevue WI, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. It's important that you get the best available training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since a number of states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's very important you carry out the appropriate research so that you can evaluate and compare each college that you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision. But just how do you undertake enrolling in the right school? When checking out interior design schools, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are relevant issues when making a determination, they are by no means the only ones. There are several other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will address those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in in more detail below. 

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What to Ask Interior Design Schools

Now that you have selected the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your Bellevue WI home. Obviously if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will limit your choices also. But choosing the cheapest school or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a few questions that you may want to address with the programs you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and subsequently pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the interior designer program and college that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just make sure that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Bellevue WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to furnishing an outstanding education, the Bellevue WI program you choose should also furnish the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It may also indicate that the school has a sizable network of Bellevue WI business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Bellevue WI schools you are reviewing and ask what kind of assistance they offer. Many of interior design programs provide financial assistance to their new students. Some schools offer partial scholarships and others provide help in obtaining federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Bellevue WI programs you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Bellevue home, go to the college and sit in on a couple of classes. While there speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior design program you choose offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Bellevue WI, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Find Out More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in Bellevue

Choose the Best Bellevue Interior Design School

Selecting the ideal interior design program is a critical first step toward launching your career in this creative and gratifying profession. Searching for a college where you will obtain your education and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting job no matter what field you have decided on. As with any undertaking to attain an advanced education, there are a number of points to think about before selecting a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the field. It is still essential that you conduct your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design schools so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Bellevue Wisconsin.

 

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