Interior Designer School
How to Find the Right One Near Racine Wisconsin

So it’s time to begin the process of selecting an interior design school near Racine WI once you have made a career decision to become an interior designer. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's important that you receive the appropriate training to put your talents to work. And since several states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's vital you do the appropriate research so that you can evaluate and compare each program that you are considering before you make your ultimate selection. But just how do you go about finding the right school? When checking out interior design schools, the majority of students start by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the lowest tuition. However, a school is not always the best choice just because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation should be considered as well. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, 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 receive the training required to begin your new career in Racine WI. Your decision will no doubt be influenced by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in a number of states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum amount of education needed to enter the profession. They take roughly two years to complete and programs are offered at a number of Wisconsin community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can normally qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical aspects of the business required to become a designer. They are the minimum credential needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs furnish advanced training in design after attaining a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialty majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. A number of students enroll to improve their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are primarily for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The programs vary in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", many states require that graduates of accredited schools become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of professional experience may be required before a candidate can sit for the licensing exam.

Interior Design Online Schools

For those who wish to attend classes in the convenience of their Racine WI homes, there are accredited online interior design programs. Attending classes online can be a good option for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For some students online programs may be the only alternative if no interior design programs are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more conventional options. Added expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated also. Just be sure that the program you enroll in is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, 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 distance or online education. If you have the discipline to acquire your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design college may be the right alternative for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Programs

When you have chosen the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of assessing your college options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the campus must be within commuting distance from your Racine WI home. Of course if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will decrease your options as well. But picking the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you need to consider as well, 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 to help you compare and ultimately pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior design program and college that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their instructors and programs. Just verify 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 may also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Racine WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do mandate that interior designers get 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 school. And in some of those States mandating licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required also. So in addition to furnishing an excellent education, the Racine WI college you select should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will probably 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 higher rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It may also signify that the school has a significant network of Racine WI business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Racine WI colleges you are looking at and find out what kind of aid they provide. Many of interior designer programs provide financial aid to their incoming students. Various schools provide partial scholarships and others provide support in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Racine WI schools you are reviewing what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Racine home, go to the campus and monitor a few classes. While there talk with some 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, confirm 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 at night or on weekends near Racine WI, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Racine

Choose the Right Racine Interior Design College

Selecting the right interior designer school is a critical initial step toward starting your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Locating a school where you will obtain your education and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a challenging task regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to receive an advanced education, there are several factors to consider before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, make sure that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the profession. It is still important that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Racine Wisconsin.

 

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