Interior Designer School
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Brookfield Wisconsin

So it’s time to start the process of choosing an interior design school near Brookfield WI now that you have made a career decision to study to be an interior designer. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's important that you obtain the proper training to put your natural abilities to work. And since some states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's crucial you perform the proper research so that you can assess and compare each program that you are considering before you make your ultimate choice. But where do you start? Many prospective students will begin their research by searching for interior design programs near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when analyzing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit about the degree and training alternatives are offered.

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Interior Designer Degrees

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to receive the training necessary to launch your new profession in Brookfield WI. Your selection will undoubtedly be motivated by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose to enroll in, make certain to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in a number of states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum amount of training needed to enter the profession. They take roughly 2 years to finish and programs are offered at many Wisconsin vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can normally obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that supply more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical facets of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced design training after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are mostly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs differ in length but are generally completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be required before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

Interior Designer Online Degree Programs

For anyone wishing' to study in the comfort of their Brookfield WI homes, there are accredited online interior design schools. Attending classes online can be a good alternative for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For a number of students online programs may be the sole alternative if no interior design colleges are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Additional expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be decreased or eliminated as well. Just make certain that the college you enroll in is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. If you have the dedication to obtain your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Programs

After you have decided on the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of reviewing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the college has to be within driving distance from your Brookfield WI home. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will decrease your choices also. But selecting the cheapest school or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you should consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and ultimately pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior designer program and school that you choose has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive assessment of their programs and teachers. Just confirm that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Brookfield WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required also. So in addition to furnishing an excellent education, the Brookfield WI school you choose should also furnish the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It could also signify that the school has a significant network of Brookfield WI business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid departments for the Brookfield WI colleges you are looking at and ask what kind of support they offer. Many of interior design schools provide financial aid to their incoming students. Certain colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide help in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Brookfield WI schools you are reviewing what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Brookfield home, go to the school and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design school you select offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Brookfield WI, verify that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Find Out More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Brookfield

Choose the Best Brookfield Interior Design College

Choosing the ideal interior designer school is an important initial step toward starting your career in this creative and fulfilling occupation. Searching for a college where you will receive your training and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult job regardless of what major you have chosen. As with any undertaking to acquire a higher education, there are many factors to consider before choosing a school, program, or course. At a minimum, make sure that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. It is still imperative that you conduct your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations presented 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 quality training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Brookfield Wisconsin.

 

Brookfield Interior Design Courses | Brookfield Interior Design Degrees