Interior Designer Degree Program
How to Select the Best One Near Eau Claire Wisconsin

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design school near Eau Claire WI, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's essential that you obtain the proper training to put your talents to work. And since interior designers must be licensed in several states, the college you choose should prep you to pass any required licensing test and provide the proper training for your specialty. So in order to evaluate and compare each school you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision it's crucial that you carry out the appropriate research. But exactly where do you start? When looking for interior design schools, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation should be considered also. We will address those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit about the degree and training alternatives are available.

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Interior Design Degrees

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to receive the training needed to launch your new profession in Eau Claire WI. Your selection will undoubtedly be influenced by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you decide to enroll in, be sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in some states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum level of training required to enter the field. They take roughly 2 years to complete and programs are offered at numerous Wisconsin community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can normally obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply 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 degree needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced design training after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialty majors for such things 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 mostly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are generally completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be called for before a candidate can sit for the licensing exam.

Online Interior Designer Colleges

For anyone wishing' to study in the comfort of their Eau Claire WI homes, there are online accredited interior design classes. Studying online can be an excellent option for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For many students online programs may be the sole option if no interior design colleges are within driving 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 minimized or eliminated as well. Just make sure that the school you choose is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. If you have the dedication to acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the right alternative for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Schools

Now that you have chosen the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of evaluating your college options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your Eau Claire WI home. Of course if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the programs you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others to help you compare and subsequently pick the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior design program and school that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their programs and instructors. 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 college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Eau Claire WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Eau Claire WI school you select should also furnish the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will probably need some support in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It might also indicate that the college has a significant network of Eau Claire WI business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Eau Claire WI schools you are reviewing and ask what type of assistance they provide. Many of interior design colleges provide financial aid to their new students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive 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 probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Eau Claire WI colleges you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Eau Claire home, visit the college and monitor a couple of classes. While there talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior design school you choose offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Eau Claire WI, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Find Out More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in Eau Claire

Enroll in the Right Eau Claire Interior Design School

Picking the ideal interior designer school is a critical first step toward launching your career in this creative and rewarding profession. Locating a school where you will obtain your education and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting task regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to acquire an advanced education, there are many factors to think about before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, check that the program and design school are both accredited and highly respected in the business. It is still important that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with excellent training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Eau Claire Wisconsin.

 

Eau Claire Interior Design Degrees | Eau Claire How To Become An Interior Designer