Interior Designer Degree Program
How to Choose the Best One Near Stevens Point Wisconsin

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design school near Stevens Point WI, it's time to start the process of selecting a school. It's important that you get the best available training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a knack for designing commercial or residential interiors. And because interior designers must be licensed in a number of states, the college you select should prep you to pass any required licensing exam as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So in order to assess and compare each school you are considering before you make your final choice it's crucial that you perform the appropriate due diligence. But exactly where do you start? When checking out interior design schools, many potential students begin by targeting those that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While cost and location are key variables when making a determination, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation must be taken into account also. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training options are available.

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Interior Design Compared to Interior Decoration

Often people confuse interior design for interior decoration and vice versa. The principal 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 spaces. On the other hand, working as an interior designer requires formal training and in many states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or residential spaces functional as well as attractive. On some occasions they may work together with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad areas that an interior designer in Stevens Point WI can specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers typically work on new construction and existing homes. They can design essentially any room of the home, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they can specialize in designing one specific room, for instance kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Designing. When dealing with commercial or public areas, designers often focus primarily on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but pay attention to both. For instance, business meeting rooms and reception areas are areas where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for hospitals and banks may focus more on functionality over appearance as the main consideration.

There are various areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer must learn, such as color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. They have to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to create their visions. From picking carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui principles, Stevens Point WI interior designers implement a wide range of skills that contribute to their ultimate designs.

Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to acquire the training needed to begin your new profession in Stevens Point WI. Your selection will undoubtedly be driven by your career objectives as well as the money and time 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 mandated in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in some states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum level of training required to enter the field. They take approximately two years to complete and programs are offered at a number of Wisconsin vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can usually qualify for entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative components of the business needed to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a college graduate in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs supply 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 their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are largely for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs vary in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of professional experience may be called for before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Online Interior Designer Classes

For anyone wishing' to attend classes in the comfort of their Stevens Point WI homes, there are accredited online interior design degrees. Attending classes online can be an excellent solution for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make attending 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 sole option if no interior design programs are within commuting distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Added costs for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated as well. Just make certain that the college you choose is accredited by a respected accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also receive accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. If you have the dedication to earn your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design college may be the ideal alternative for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Now that you have selected the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of evaluating your college options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the college must be within commuting distance from your Stevens Point WI home. Obviously 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 narrow down your options as well. But selecting the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your house are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to look at also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are looking at to obtain those answers as well as others to help you assess and ultimately pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior designer program and school that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just make sure that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Stevens Point WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore besides providing an exceptional education, the Stevens Point WI school you select should also furnish the appropriate training 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 attained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some help in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It could also signify that the college has a large network of Stevens Point WI business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Stevens Point WI colleges you are looking at and find out what type of support they offer. Many of interior designer colleges offer financial assistance to their new students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Stevens Point WI schools you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Stevens Point home, visit the campus and monitor a few classes. While there talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior design college you select offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Stevens Point WI, make sure that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Learn More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Stevens Point

Enroll in the Right Stevens Point Interior Design School

Picking the right interior design college is an important initial step toward launching your career in this creative and rewarding profession. Locating a college where you will obtain your education and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult job regardless of what field you have decided on. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are several things to think about before selecting a program, course or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design college are both accredited and highly regarded in the field. It is still important that you conduct your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Stevens Point Wisconsin.

 

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