Interior Designer School
How to Find the Best One Near Mequon Wisconsin

So it’s time to begin the process of choosing an interior design school near Mequon WI now that you have made a career decision to study to be an interior designer. It's important that you get the best available training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors. And since a number of states do require that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing exam as well. So in order to evaluate and compare each school you are looking at prior to making your ultimate choice it's vital that you perform the appropriate due diligence. But just how do you approach finding the right program? When looking for interior design schools, the majority of students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are key issues when making a decision, they should not be the sole ones. There are many other considerations that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will discuss those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit about the degree and class options are offered.

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Interior Designer Degree Options

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to get the training required to start your new profession in Mequon WI. Your selection will undoubtedly be driven by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have budgeted to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, be sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in a number of states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum level of training needed to enter the field. They take about two years to finish and programs are offered at numerous Wisconsin trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can typically obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical facets of the business needed to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a college graduate 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 achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are primarily for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs differ in length but are normally 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 colleges become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be called for before a candidate can take the licensing examination.

Online Interior Design Colleges

For individuals who wish to study in the comfort of their Mequon WI homes, there are accredited online interior design colleges. Attending classes online can be a good solution for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be attended on a laptop or a personal computer when practical 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 added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Added expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated also. Just make certain that the college 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 online or distance learning. If you have the discipline to earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design college may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Schools

After you have decided on 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, particularly if the school must be within commuting distance from your Mequon WI residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your options also. But choosing the least expensive school or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you should consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and ultimately pick the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the interior designer college and program that you enroll in 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). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous assessment 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 confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are exceptional, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many Mequon WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several 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 school. And in several of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from furnishing an outstanding education, the Mequon WI program you choose should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some support in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask 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 profession and its students are in demand. It could also signify that the school has a sizable network of Mequon WI business connections where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Mequon WI schools you are evaluating and find out what type of aid they offer. A number of interior designer schools provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Various schools provide partial scholarships and others provide help in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Mequon WI colleges you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Mequon home, go to the school and sit in on a couple of classes. While there speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior designer school you enroll in 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 Mequon WI, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Mequon

Choose the Right Mequon Interior Design College

Selecting the ideal interior design college is a crucial first step toward launching your career in this creative and gratifying profession. Finding a school where you will obtain your training and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a difficult job regardless of what field you have selected. As with any undertaking to receive an advanced education, there are many things to consider before selecting a course, program or school. At a minimum, make sure that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the profession. It is still essential that you carry out your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the right ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Mequon Wisconsin.

 

Mequon Interior Design Degrees | Mequon How To Become An Interior Designer