Interior Designer Degree
How to Find the Right One Near Greendale Wisconsin

So it’s time to start the task of selecting an interior design school near Greendale WI once you have made a career choice to become an interior designer. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's important that you obtain the right training to put your talents to work. And since a number of states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's vital you do the appropriate research in order to evaluate and compare each college that you are looking at before you make your ultimate selection. But just where do you begin? When checking out interior design programs, many potential students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are important factors when making a determination, they should not be the sole ones. There are many other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will address those issues and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But before we do, let's cover a little bit about the degree and class choices are offered.

IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN CAREER BELOW!

Interior Designer Degree Options

There are four degree options offered in interior design to obtain the training required to launch your new profession in Greendale WI. Your selection will no doubt be driven by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in some states. More will be covered 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 furnish the minimum level of training required to enter the field. They take about two years to finish and programs are available at many Wisconsin vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can normally obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more comprehensive 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 credential needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs provide advanced training in design after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialized majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mainly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs vary in length but are typically completed in three to five years.

In order to work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be needed before an applicant can take the licensing exam.

Interior Designer Online Courses

For those who wish to study in the convenience of their Greendale WI homes, there are online accredited interior design classes. Studying online can be a good option for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For some students online programs may be the sole alternative if no interior design colleges are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Added costs for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the college you pick is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. If you have the dedication to obtain your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design school may be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Now that you have chosen the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of reviewing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the school has to be within commuting distance from your Greendale WI residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will narrow down your choices also. But picking the cheapest college or the one that is closest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other things that you need to look at also, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a few questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others to help you assess and ultimately choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's essential to confirm that the interior designer program and school 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 earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive assessment 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 recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Greendale WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do require 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 several of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required as well. So besides providing an outstanding education, the Greendale WI college you choose should also furnish the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some help in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It could also indicate that the college has a large network of Greendale WI business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Greendale WI colleges you are evaluating and ask what type of aid they offer. A number of interior design programs offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Some schools provide partial scholarships while others provide support in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Greendale WI schools you are considering what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Greendale home, go to the school and monitor a couple of classes. While there speak with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design college you choose provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Greendale WI, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Learn More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Greendale

Enroll in the Best Greendale Interior Design College

Picking the ideal interior design school is a critical initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Finding a school where you will obtain your education and develop your talents 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 a number of points to consider before selecting 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 complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Greendale Wisconsin.

 

Greendale Interior Design Schools | Greendale Interior Design Programs