Interior Designer School
How to Pick the Right One Near Eau Claire Wisconsin

So it’s time to start the process of picking an interior design school near Eau Claire 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 residential or commercial interiors, it's essential that you obtain the appropriate training to put your skills to work. And because interior designers are licensed in several states, the school you choose should prepare you to pass any required licensing exam as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So in order to assess and compare each college you are looking at prior to making your final choice it's vital that you do the proper research. But where do you begin? When checking out interior design schools, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are important issues when making a decision, they are by no means the sole ones. There are a number of other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit about the degree and class alternatives are available.

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Interior Design Degree Options

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to receive the training required to start your new career in Eau Claire WI. Your selection will no doubt be influenced by your career objectives in addition to the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make certain to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in several states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum level of education needed to enter the profession. They take approximately 2 years to complete and programs are available at a number of Wisconsin vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that provide more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical aspects of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced training in design after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialty majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are largely for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs vary in length but are normally completed in three to five years.

To work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of field experience may be called for before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

Online Interior Design Courses

For students who to study in the convenience of their Eau Claire WI homes, there are online accredited interior design classes. Studying online can be a good option for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For a number of students online schools may be the only alternative if no interior design colleges are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Additional expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated also. Just make certain that the college you pick is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. If you have the discipline to obtain your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the right option for you.

What to Ask Interior Design Schools

Once you have decided on the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of evaluating your school options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the college must be within driving distance from your Eau Claire WI residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will limit your options also. But choosing the least expensive school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you should look at also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are considering to get those answers in addition to others to help you examine and ultimately choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior designer program and college that you select has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just verify that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are exceptional, it might also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Eau Claire WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to providing an excellent education, the Eau Claire 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 working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It might also indicate that the college has a large network of Eau Claire WI business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Eau Claire WI schools you are reviewing and find out what kind of support they provide. Many of interior design programs offer financial aid to their new students. Some schools offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in securing federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Eau Claire WI programs you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Eau Claire home, visit the school and attend a couple of classes. While there talk with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer school you choose offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Eau Claire WI, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option also. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Learn More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Eau Claire

Enroll in the Best Eau Claire Interior Design College

Picking the ideal interior design school is a crucial first step toward launching your career in this creative and gratifying profession. Finding a college where you will receive your training and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a difficult job no matter what field you have selected. As with any undertaking to receive an advanced education, there are many things to think about before enrolling in a school, program, or course. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. It is still essential that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Eau Claire Wisconsin.

 

Eau Claire Interior Design Schools | Eau Claire Interior Design Programs