Interior Designer Degree Program
How to Select the Right One Near Marshfield Wisconsin

So it’s time to begin the task of picking an interior design school near Marshfield WI once you have made a career decision to study to be an interior designer. It's important that you get the best available training to put your skills to work, even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors. And because interior designers must be licensed in a number of states, the school you choose should prepare you to pass any required licensing test and provide the necessary training for your specialty. So in order to assess and compare each school you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection it's vital that you perform the appropriate due diligence. But exactly where do you start? A number of future students will start their research by searching for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will address those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit about the degree and class choices are offered.

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Interior Design Degrees

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to receive the training necessary to begin your new profession in Marshfield WI. Your decision will undoubtedly be motivated by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, be sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in several states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum level of education needed to enter the field. They take approximately 2 years to complete and programs are offered at a number of Wisconsin vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative components of the business needed to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced training in design after attaining the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are mainly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

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

Online Interior Designer Colleges

For anyone wishing' to study in the convenience of their Marshfield WI homes, there are accredited online interior design degrees. Studying online can be a great solution for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For some students online colleges may be the only alternative if no interior design schools are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more conventional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated also. Just make sure that the program you choose is accredited by a respected 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 education. If you have the dedication to acquire your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the ideal option for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Schools

Now that you have selected the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of evaluating your school options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the campus must be within commuting distance from your Marshfield WI home. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But picking the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other things that you should look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a few questions that you may want to ask the programs you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others to help you assess and subsequently select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior design program and college that you enroll in has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. 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 a rigorous 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 organization. Not only will it help verify 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, many Marshfield WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the Program Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do require that interior designers become 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 school. And in some of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an exceptional education, the Marshfield WI program you choose should also provide the proper training to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will probably need some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It may also indicate that the college has a sizable network of Marshfield WI business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Marshfield WI colleges you are reviewing and find out what type of assistance they offer. Many of interior designer schools offer financial aid to their new students. Some colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited program is important 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 aid.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Marshfield WI programs you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Marshfield home, visit the school and monitor 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 credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer school you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Marshfield WI, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an option also. 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 Marshfield

Enroll in the Best Marshfield Interior Design College

Choosing the ideal interior design college is an important first step toward starting your career in this creative and fulfilling occupation. Locating a college where you will receive your education and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult job no matter what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to acquire a higher education, there are several factors to think about before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, make sure that the design college and program are both accredited and highly esteemed in the field. It is still imperative that you carry out your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Marshfield Wisconsin.

 

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