Interior Designer Degree
How to Find the Best One Near Fond Du Lac Wisconsin

So it’s time to begin the task of selecting an interior design school near Fond Du Lac WI once you have made a career choice to become an interior designer. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's important that you obtain the right training to put your natural abilities to work. And because interior designers must be licensed in a number of states, the school you select should prep you to pass any required licensing exam and provide the proper training for your specialty. So it's very important you perform the appropriate research so that you can analyze and compare each school that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate decision. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school? When looking for interior design programs, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are important variables when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation need to be considered also. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit about the degree and training options are available.

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Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to get the training required to launch your new profession in Fond Du Lac WI. Your decision will no doubt be motivated by your career objectives as well as the time and money that you have to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in several states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum level of education needed to enter the field. They take approximately two years to complete and programs are available at numerous Wisconsin vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can usually obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that furnish more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical facets of the business 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 2 year programs provide advanced design training after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialty majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are mainly 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 professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of professional experience may be needed before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

Interior Designer Online Courses

For anyone wishing' to study in the convenience of their Fond Du Lac WI homes, there are online accredited interior design colleges. Studying online can be a great alternative for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For many students online schools may be the sole option if no interior design colleges are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated also. Just make certain that the school you pick is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the dedication to acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design program may be the perfect alternative for you.

What to Ask Interior Design Schools

After you have decided on the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your college options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the campus needs to be within driving distance from your Fond Du Lac WI residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will limit your options also. But choosing the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other things that you should look at also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a few concerns that you may want to ask the colleges you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others to help you assess and ultimately select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to confirm that the interior design college and program that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just confirm 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 confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Fond Du Lac WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required as well. So aside from furnishing an exceptional education, the Fond Du Lac WI college you enroll in should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will probably want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the programs 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 indication that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It may also signify that the college has a substantial network of Fond Du Lac WI business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Fond Du Lac WI colleges you are looking at and find out what type of assistance they provide. A number of interior designer schools provide financial aid to their incoming students. Certain colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide support in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Fond Du Lac WI schools you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Fond Du Lac home, go to the school and attend a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior design college you select offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Fond Du Lac WI, verify that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Fond Du Lac

Enroll in the Right Fond Du Lac Interior Design School

Picking 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 education and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a daunting task no matter what field you have selected. As with any undertaking to acquire a higher education, there are several points to consider before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the program and design school are both accredited and highly respected in the field. It is still imperative 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 properly review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Fond Du Lac Wisconsin.

 

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