Interior Designer College
How to Select the Right One Near Janesville Wisconsin

So it’s time to begin the task of picking an interior design school near Janesville WI now that you have made a career decision to become 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 knack for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since interior designers are licensed in a number of states, the college you choose should prep you to pass any required licensing test as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So it's very important you carry out the proper research so that you can assess and compare each school that you are looking at before you make your ultimate decision. But where do you start? When looking for interior design schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation should be considered as well. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at in more detail below. 

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Topics to Ask Interior Design Schools

Now that you have selected the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your school options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Janesville WI residence. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will decrease your choices as well. But selecting the cheapest school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a few concerns that you may want to ask the colleges you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others to help you compare and subsequently choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior design college and program that you select has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding assessment of their teachers and programs. Just verify that both the college and the degree program 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 education are exceptional, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Janesville WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, 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) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore aside from providing an excellent education, the Janesville WI school you select should also furnish the proper training to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly want some help in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It might also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Janesville WI business connections where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Janesville WI colleges you are looking at and find out what kind of assistance they provide. A number of interior designer programs offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Various schools provide partial scholarships while others provide support in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Janesville WI programs you are reviewing what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Janesville home, visit the campus and attend 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 styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior designer program you select provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Janesville WI, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Janesville

Enroll in the Best Janesville Interior Design School

Choosing the right interior designer college is an important initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Locating a college where you will receive your education and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a challenging task regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any endeavor to receive an advanced education, there are many things to consider before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, check that the program and design school are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. It is still essential that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your determination to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Janesville Wisconsin.

 

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