Interior Designer School
How to Pick the Best One Near Oshkosh Wisconsin

So it’s time to begin the process of choosing an interior design school near Oshkosh WI once you have made a career choice to study to be an interior designer. It's important that you get the best available training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors. And since several states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing exam also. So in order to evaluate and compare each college you are reviewing before you make your final selection it's vital that you do the proper due diligence. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school? When looking for interior design programs, the majority of students start by targeting those that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the right option just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when comparing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will cover those topics and other crucial 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 Options

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to acquire the training required to begin your new career in Oshkosh WI. Your choice will undoubtedly be driven by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have to invest in your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose 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 some states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum amount of education needed to enter the profession. They take about two years to complete and programs are offered at many Wisconsin trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can usually qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide 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 obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced training in design after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives in specialty majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. A number of students enroll to advance 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 differ in length but are typically completed in three to five years.

To work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be called for before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Interior Design Online Classes

For individuals who wish to attend classes in the comfort of their Oshkosh WI homes, there are online accredited interior design schools. Studying online can be a good alternative for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For a number of students online programs may be the only alternative if no interior design programs 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 commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated as well. Just be sure that the school you choose is accredited by a respected accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the discipline to obtain your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design college may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Schools

When you have selected the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the campus must be within commuting distance from your Oshkosh WI residence. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is closest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you need to look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the college. Below are a list of questions that you may want to address with the programs you are considering to get those answers in addition to others to help you assess and subsequently pick the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's necessary to confirm that the interior designer school and program 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 earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just confirm 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 confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Oshkosh WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate that interior designers get 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 program. And in some of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. So aside from providing an outstanding education, the Oshkosh WI college you enroll in should also provide the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will probably need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the schools 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 sign that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It may also signify that the college has a sizable network of Oshkosh WI business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Oshkosh WI schools you are evaluating and find out what kind of aid they provide. A number of interior designer programs offer financial aid to their new students. Some schools offer partial scholarships while others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Oshkosh WI colleges you are looking at what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Oshkosh home, go to the college and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and find out 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 Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior design college you enroll in provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night 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 as well. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Oshkosh

Choose the Best Oshkosh Interior Design School

Choosing the right interior designer college is an important first step toward launching your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Searching for a school where you will receive your education and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a challenging job regardless of what major you have selected. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are a number of factors to consider before selecting a course, program or school. At a minimum, confirm that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the field. It is still imperative that you carry out your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right final selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Oshkosh Wisconsin.

 

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