Interior Designer Program
How to Enroll in the Right One Near Oshkosh Wisconsin

Now that you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design school near Oshkosh 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 imperative that you obtain the appropriate training to put your talents to work. And because interior designers must be licensed in a number of states, the school you choose should prep you to pass any required licensing exam as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So it's crucial you perform the proper research so that you can analyze and compare each school that you are looking at prior to making your ultimate decision. But exactly where do you begin? Some future students will kick off their research by looking for interior design colleges near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. But keep in mind, a school is not always the right choice simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation need to be considered as well. We will address those issues and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are looking at in more detail below. 

IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN CAREER BELOW!

Questions to Ask Interior Design Colleges

After you have selected the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the campus needs to be within driving distance from your Oshkosh WI residence. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will limit your choices also. But selecting the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a few concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and subsequently select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior designer program and college that you select has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive 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 organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Oshkosh WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore besides providing an outstanding education, the Oshkosh WI school you choose should also furnish the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some support in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job placement 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 in demand. It could also signify that the school has a large network of Oshkosh WI business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Oshkosh WI colleges you are reviewing and find out what type of aid they offer. A number of interior designer schools offer financial assistance to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships and others provide help in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Oshkosh WI programs you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Oshkosh home, visit the college and sit in on a couple of classes. While there talk 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 Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior designer program you enroll in offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Oshkosh WI, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Learn More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in Oshkosh

Choose the Best Oshkosh Interior Design College

Selecting the right interior design school is an important first step toward launching your career in this artistic and fulfilling occupation. Searching for a school where you will receive your training and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a difficult job no matter what field you have selected. As with any undertaking to receive a higher education, there are several things to consider before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the field. It is still essential that you carry out your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Oshkosh Wisconsin.

 

Oshkosh Interior Design Schools | Oshkosh Interior Design Programs