Interior Designer Program
How to Choose the Right One Near Oshkosh Wisconsin

So it’s time to begin the process of picking an interior design school near Oshkosh WI once you have made a career decision to become an interior designer. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's important that you receive the appropriate training to put your skills to work. And because interior designers must be licensed in several states, the school you choose should prepare you to pass any required licensing exam as well as provide the necessary training for your specialty. So it's crucial you perform the proper research in order to analyze and compare each school that you are considering prior to making your final selection. But just how do you undertake finding the right program? When checking out interior design programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are key issues when making a decision, they are by no means the sole ones. There are several other qualifications that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will cover those topics 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 cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training alternatives are offered.

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Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Many people mistake interior decoration for interior design and vice versa. The primary distinction between them is the level of training required. Anyone can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior areas. However, working as an interior designer necessitates formal training and in numerous states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make work or living spaces attractive as well as functional. On many projects they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are two general categories that an interior designer in Oshkosh WI can specialize in:

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

There are various areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. Designers need to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From picking wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui principles, Oshkosh WI interior designers employ a wide range of skills that help bring about their ultimate designs.

Interior Design Degree Options

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to get the training necessary to launch your new career in Oshkosh WI. Your selection will no doubt be driven by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in some states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum level of training required to enter the profession. They take about two years to complete and programs are available at a number of Wisconsin vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that furnish more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical facets of the business needed 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 two year programs provide advanced training in design after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialized 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. Doctorate degrees are primarily for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs vary in length but are generally 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 schools become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of professional experience may be needed before a candidate can sit for the licensing exam.

Interior Design Online Schools

For individuals who wish to attend classes in the convenience of their Oshkosh WI homes, there are online accredited interior design degrees. Attending classes online can be a great alternative for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when convenient for the student. For many students online colleges may be the sole option if no interior design schools are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more conventional options. Additional expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated also. Just be sure that the program you select is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also receive 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 program may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Colleges

When you have decided on the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the college needs to be within driving distance from your Oshkosh WI home. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will narrow down your options also. But selecting the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your house are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below are a few concerns that you may want to ask the programs you are looking at to get those answers as well as others in order to help you examine and ultimately select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior designer program and school that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a regional or national organization. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous evaluation of their programs and instructors. Just verify that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are outstanding, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Oshkosh WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore besides providing an outstanding education, the Oshkosh WI program you choose should also provide the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will probably need some help in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job placement 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 highly regarded within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It may also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Oshkosh WI business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Oshkosh WI colleges you are evaluating and ask what kind of assistance they provide. Many of interior design colleges provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Oshkosh WI programs you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Oshkosh home, visit the school and sit in on a few classes. While there speak with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior design college 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 go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Oshkosh WI, verify that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Oshkosh

Choose the Best Oshkosh Interior Design College

Selecting the right interior designer school is a crucial first step toward starting your career in this artistic and gratifying occupation. Finding a college where you will obtain your education and cultivate your talents in a specific area of study is a difficult task regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any endeavor to attain a higher education, there are several points to consider before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, check that the design college and program are both accredited and highly esteemed in the profession. It is still essential that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions presented 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 excellent training and your drive to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Oshkosh Wisconsin.

 

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