Interior Designer School
How to Pick the Right One Near Fond Du Lac Wisconsin

So it’s time to begin the task of choosing an interior design school near Fond Du Lac WI once you have made a career decision to study to be an interior designer. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's important that you receive the appropriate training to put your skills to work. And because interior designers are licensed in a number of states, the college you choose should prepare you to pass any required licensing test as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So it's vital you perform the proper research in order to analyze and compare each program that you are considering before you make your ultimate choice. But just where do you begin? A number of future students will begin their research by looking for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While location and cost are important variables when making a determination, they should not be the only ones. There are a number of other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will address those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit about the degree and training options are available.

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Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to receive the training necessary to begin your new career in Fond Du Lac WI. Your choice will no doubt be driven by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have budgeted to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you decide to enroll in, make certain to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in several states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum level of education required to enter the profession. They take roughly 2 years to complete and programs are available at numerous Wisconsin trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical facets of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs furnish advanced training in design after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide alternatives in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are primarily for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of professional experience may be called for before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Interior Design Online Schools

For individuals who wish to study in the convenience of their Fond Du Lac WI homes, there are online accredited interior design programs. Studying online can be an excellent solution for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For some students online colleges may be the only option if no interior design colleges are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Additional expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the school you choose is accredited by a respected accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. If you have the discipline to obtain your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design college may be the right alternative for you.

What to Ask Interior Design Programs

Now that you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the campus has to be within driving distance from your Fond Du Lac WI home. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But picking the cheapest school or the one that is nearest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others to help you examine and ultimately pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior design college and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding assessment of their instructors 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Fond Du Lac WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States mandating licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required also. So besides providing an outstanding education, the Fond Du Lac WI program you select should also provide the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy 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 attained your interior design certification, you will probably need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It might also signify that the college has a sizable network of Fond Du Lac WI business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial aid offices for the Fond Du Lac WI schools you are evaluating and find out what type of assistance they offer. Many of interior designer colleges provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Fond Du Lac WI colleges you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Fond Du Lac home, visit the college 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 philosophies are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design school you choose provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Fond Du Lac WI, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Learn More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Fond Du Lac

Enroll in the Right Fond Du Lac Interior Design College

Selecting the ideal interior design college is an important first step toward starting your career in this artistic and gratifying profession. Finding a college where you will receive your training and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a daunting job no matter what field you have chosen. As with any endeavor to attain an advanced education, there are a number of factors to consider before choosing a school, program, or course. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design college are both accredited and highly regarded in the field. It is still important that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right final selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Fond Du Lac Wisconsin.

 

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