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

So it’s time to start the process of choosing an interior design school near Mount Pleasant 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 develop your skills, even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since several states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing exam as well. So in order to analyze and compare each school you are reviewing before you make your ultimate decision it's essential that you do the appropriate due diligence. But where do you start? A number of future students will kick off their research by looking for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While location and cost are important factors when making a determination, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation must be considered as well. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class alternatives are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Often people confuse interior design for interior decoration and vice versa. The principal distinction between the two is the amount of training required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, conducting business as an interior designer requires formal training and in a number of states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make living or work areas attractive as well as functional. On many projects they may collaborate with architects and building engineers. There are two general categories that an interior designer in Mount Pleasant WI may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers often work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design essentially any area of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they can specialize in designing one specific room, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Designing. When working on public or commercial areas, designers often concentrate predominantly on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but pay attention to both. For example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are spaces where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for banks and hospitals might concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the primary concern.

There are several areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, such as color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. Designers must be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From selecting carpeting and wall paper to incorporating Feng shui principles, Mount Pleasant WI interior designers employ a wide range of skills that help bring about their final designs.

Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to obtain the training needed to start your new profession in Mount Pleasant WI. Your selection will no doubt be influenced by your career objectives as well as the money and time that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, be sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to qualify for 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. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum amount of training needed to enter the profession. They take about 2 years to complete and programs are offered at numerous Wisconsin vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can normally obtain entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical components of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest 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 attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialty 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 the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are largely for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs vary in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", many states mandate that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be needed before a candidate can sit for the licensing exam.

Online Interior Designer Classes

For anyone wishing' to attend classes in the comfort of their Mount Pleasant WI homes, there are accredited online interior design programs. Attending classes online can be an excellent option for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For many students online programs may be the sole alternative if no interior design colleges are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Additional expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the college you choose is accredited by a respected accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. If you have the discipline to obtain your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design school may be the perfect option for you.

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Schools

When you have decided on the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the campus must be within driving distance from your Mount Pleasant WI residence. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But selecting the most affordable college or the one that is closest to home are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other things that you should look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the schools you are looking at to get those answers as well as others to help you examine and ultimately select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior designer program and school that you choose has earned accreditation from 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 obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their programs and teachers. 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 college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many Mount Pleasant WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required also. So aside from providing an outstanding education, the Mount Pleasant WI school you choose should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It may also signify that the school has a significant network of Mount Pleasant WI business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the Mount Pleasant WI schools you are reviewing and find out what kind of assistance they provide. Many of interior design colleges offer financial aid to their new students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide help in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Mount Pleasant WI schools you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Mount Pleasant home, go to the school and sit in on a couple of classes. While there speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior designer program you enroll in provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Mount Pleasant WI, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in Mount Pleasant

Enroll in the Best Mount Pleasant Interior Design College

Choosing the ideal interior design program is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding profession. Searching for a college where you will receive your training and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting task regardless of what field you have selected. As with any undertaking to acquire a higher education, there are a number of points to think about before selecting a course, program or school. At a minimum, confirm that the design college and program are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. It is still important that you conduct your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the right ultimate selection. And with superior training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Mount Pleasant Wisconsin.

 

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