Interior Designer Degree Program
How to Find the Right One Near Greenfield Wisconsin

So it’s time to begin the process of picking an interior design school near Greenfield WI now that you have made a career choice to study to be an interior designer. It's imperative that you get the appropriate training to put your skills to work, even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since a number of states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing exam as well. So in order to analyze and compare each college you are looking at prior to making your ultimate choice it's vital that you carry out the appropriate due diligence. But just how do you approach finding the right program? When looking for interior design schools, the majority of students begin by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be taken into consideration also. We will address those topics and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are researching later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit about the degree and class choices are offered.

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Interior Design Degrees

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to obtain the training necessary to launch your new career in Greenfield WI. Your selection will undoubtedly be motivated by your career objectives in addition to the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, be sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in some states. More will be covered on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum level of education needed to enter the profession. They take roughly two years to finish and programs are available at numerous Wisconsin vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that provide more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative aspects of the business needed to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a college graduate in order to obtain 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 options 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. Doctorate degrees are mostly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs differ in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of professional experience may be called for before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

Interior Designer Online Schools

For anyone wishing' to study in the comfort of their Greenfield WI homes, there are online accredited interior design colleges. Studying online can be an excellent solution for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For some students online schools 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 traditional options. Additional expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be decreased or eliminated as well. Just make sure that the college you choose is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. If you have the dedication to earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design school may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Schools

Once you have selected the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of evaluating your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the college needs to be within driving distance from your Greenfield WI home. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will narrow down your options as well. But choosing the least expensive school or the one that is closest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you should consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a list of questions that you may want to ask the programs you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and ultimately select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior design school and program that you choose has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. 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 rigorous evaluation of their programs and instructors. 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 college and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Greenfield WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some 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 program. And in several of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore besides providing an excellent education, the Greenfield WI program you choose should also furnish the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will probably need some support in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It may also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Greenfield WI business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Greenfield WI colleges you are evaluating and ask what type of support they offer. Many of interior design colleges offer financial assistance to their new students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide help in securing federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Greenfield WI programs you are considering what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Greenfield home, go to the school and attend a few classes. While there speak with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer school you enroll in offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Greenfield WI, make certain that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Find Out More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Greenfield

Choose the Best Greenfield Interior Design College

Picking the right interior designer school is an important first step toward launching your career in this creative and gratifying occupation. Searching for a college where you will receive your education and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a daunting job regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to acquire an advanced education, there are several points to consider before selecting a course, program or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design college are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. It is still essential that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Greenfield Wisconsin.

 

Greenfield Interior Design Courses | Greenfield Interior Design Degrees