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

So it’s time to begin the task of choosing an interior design school near Eau Claire WI now that you have made a career choice to become an interior designer. 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 interior designers must be licensed in several states, the school you select should prepare you to pass any required licensing test and provide the proper training for your specialty. So it's essential you carry out the appropriate research so that you can analyze and compare each college that you are looking at prior to making your final decision. But exactly where do you start? When checking out interior design schools, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are important variables when making a decision, they are by no means the only ones. There are several other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will discuss 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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Topics to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Now that you have decided on the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your Eau Claire WI residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will limit your choices also. But picking the cheapest school or the one that is closest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others to help you compare and ultimately select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior design program and school that you select has earned accreditation from either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just verify that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when obtaining 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 hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate that interior designers become 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 requiring licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore besides providing an excellent education, the Eau Claire WI college you select should also furnish the proper training to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will probably need some support 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 high rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It may also indicate that the college has a large network of Eau Claire WI business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Eau Claire WI colleges you are reviewing and find out what kind of assistance they offer. A number of interior design schools provide financial aid to their new students. Some schools provide partial scholarships and others provide help in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Eau Claire WI colleges you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Eau Claire home, visit the campus and sit in on a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior designer school you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Eau Claire WI, make certain that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

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

Choose the Right Eau Claire Interior Design School

Choosing the ideal interior design school is an important first step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Finding a college where you will receive your training and cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a difficult task regardless of what major you have selected. As with any endeavor to attain a higher education, there are a number of factors to consider before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design school are both accredited and highly regarded in the field. It is still important that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design programs so that you can make the right final selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Eau Claire Wisconsin.

 

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