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

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design college near Onalaska WI, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's imperative that you receive the right training to put your skills to work. And because interior designers are licensed in several states, the college you choose should prepare you to pass any required licensing exam and provide the proper training for your specialty. So it's crucial you perform the proper research so that you can evaluate and compare each program that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate choice. But just where do you begin? When looking for interior design programs, many potential students start by zeroing in on those that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation should be considered as well. 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 before we do, let's cover a little bit about the degree and class choices are available.

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Interior Design Degree Programs

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to acquire the training necessary to start your new profession in Onalaska WI. Your selection will no doubt 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, make sure to pick one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in several states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum level of training needed to enter the field. They take roughly 2 years to complete and programs are offered 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 four year programs that furnish more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative facets of the trade 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 attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are primarily for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs vary in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work as a professional and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be called for before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Online Interior Design Classes

For individuals who wish to study in the comfort of their Onalaska WI homes, there are online accredited interior design colleges. Attending classes online can be a great 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 laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For a number of students online colleges may be the sole alternative if no interior design colleges are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Additional costs for such things as study materials or commuting may be minimized or eliminated also. Just make certain that the school you select is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. If you have the dedication to acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the right alternative for you.

What to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of assessing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the school must be within commuting distance from your Onalaska WI home. Obviously if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will decrease your options also. But selecting the cheapest college or the one that is closest to home are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are considering to get those answers as well as others to help you examine and subsequently select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior design program and school that you choose has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. 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 gone through a rigorous evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just verify that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are exceptional, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Onalaska WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required as well. So aside from furnishing an excellent education, the Onalaska WI program you select should also furnish the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some help in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It could also indicate that the school has a sizable network of Onalaska WI business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial aid offices for the Onalaska WI schools you are looking at and find out what kind of assistance they offer. A number of interior design colleges offer financial aid to their incoming students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide help in securing grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited program is important 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 Big are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Onalaska WI schools you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Onalaska home, go to the campus and sit in on a few 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 backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer school you select offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Onalaska WI, verify that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Onalaska

Choose the Right Onalaska Interior Design College

Picking the ideal interior designer program is an important first step toward starting your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Searching for a school where you will obtain your education and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a daunting task no matter what major you have chosen. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are a number of things to think about before enrolling in a school, program, or course. At a minimum, check that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the business. It is still imperative that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design schools so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Onalaska Wisconsin.

 

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