Interior Designer Course
How to Select the Right One Near Onalaska Wisconsin

Now that you have decided 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 gift for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's important that you obtain the proper training to put your skills to work. And since several states do require that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing examination as well. So it's very important you perform the appropriate research so that you can assess and compare each college that you are considering prior to making your final decision. But where do you begin? When looking for interior design programs, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are various other qualifications that you should evaluate when comparing schools, such as accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are looking at in more detail below. 

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Questions to Ask Interior Design Programs

Now that you have selected the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the college has to be within commuting distance from your Onalaska WI home. Of course if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will decrease your choices as well. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you should look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the schools you are looking at to obtain those answers as well as others to help you assess and subsequently pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior design program and college that you select has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous assessment of their instructors and programs. Just confirm 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are excellent, it might also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Onalaska WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required also. So in addition to furnishing an outstanding education, the Onalaska WI school you enroll in should also furnish the suitable instruction 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? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some support in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design profession and its graduates are sought after. It may also indicate that the school has a significant network of Onalaska WI business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Onalaska WI colleges you are looking at and find out what kind of support they provide. Many of interior design schools offer financial aid to their new students. Some schools offer partial scholarships while others provide support in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that choosing 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 counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Onalaska WI schools you are looking at what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Onalaska home, go to the campus and sit in on a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few 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 Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer school you choose provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Onalaska WI, make certain that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Find Out More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Onalaska

Enroll in the Right Onalaska Interior Design School

Selecting the ideal interior designer college is a critical first step toward starting your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Searching for a college where you will receive your education and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a challenging job no matter what field you have selected. As with any endeavor to receive a higher education, there are a number of things to consider before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the business. It is still imperative that you conduct your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively assess 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 achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Onalaska Wisconsin.

 

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