Interior Designer Course
How to Pick the Best One Near Fort Atkinson Wisconsin

So it’s time to begin the process of choosing an interior design school near Fort Atkinson WI once you have made a career choice to study to be an interior designer. It's important that you get the appropriate training to put your skills to work, even if you have always had a knack for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since interior designers are licensed in a number of states, the school you select should prepare you to pass any required licensing test and provide the proper training for your specialty. So in order to evaluate and compare each college you are looking at before you make your final selection it's essential that you perform the appropriate due diligence. But exactly where do you start? When checking out interior design schools, many potential students start by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation must be taken into account as well. We will cover those issues and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit about the degree and training options are available.

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Interior Designer Degree Options

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to acquire the training necessary to begin your new career in Fort Atkinson WI. Your choice 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 no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in several states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum amount of training needed to enter the field. They take approximately 2 years to finish 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 furnish more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative components 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 job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced training in design after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialty majors for such things as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are mainly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs vary in length but are normally completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be required before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Online Interior Designer Classes

For individuals who wish to attend classes in the comfort of their Fort Atkinson WI homes, there are online accredited interior design colleges. Attending classes online can be a good solution for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For some students online programs may be the only alternative if no interior design programs are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more conventional options. Added expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated also. Just be sure that the school you pick is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, 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 acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design school may be the perfect alternative for you.

What to Ask Interior Designer Schools

Now that you have decided on the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of reviewing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the school must be within driving distance from your Fort Atkinson WI home. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will narrow down your options also. But picking the cheapest college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should consider as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below 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 assess and ultimately pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior design program and school that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just make sure 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 school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Fort Atkinson WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, 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 as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required also. Therefore besides providing an exceptional education, the Fort Atkinson WI program you enroll in should also provide the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ exam 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 design certification, you will undoubtedly need some help in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It could also signify that the college has a sizable network of Fort Atkinson WI business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Fort Atkinson WI colleges you are reviewing and find out what kind of assistance they provide. Many of interior design programs provide financial aid to their incoming students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Fort Atkinson WI programs you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Fort Atkinson home, go to the campus and sit in on a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer school you enroll in provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Fort Atkinson WI, make sure that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an alternative as well. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Fort Atkinson

Enroll in the Right Fort Atkinson Interior Design School

Choosing the right interior designer program is an important first step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Searching for a college where you will obtain your education and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a difficult task regardless of what field you have chosen. As with any endeavor to acquire an advanced education, there are several points to consider before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, check that the design college and program are both accredited and highly esteemed in the field. It is still essential that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly 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 reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Fort Atkinson Wisconsin.

 

Fort Atkinson Interior Design Schools | Fort Atkinson Interior Design Programs