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

Now that 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. Even if you have always had a gift for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's important 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 select should prep you to pass any required licensing exam and provide the necessary training for your specialty. So in order to analyze and compare each school you are looking at prior to making your ultimate selection it's essential that you perform the appropriate due diligence. But just how do you approach finding the right school? Many future students will kick off their research by looking for interior design programs near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. However, a school is not always the right choice simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation must be taken into consideration 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. 

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Questions to Ask Interior Designer Schools

When you have chosen the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of assessing your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the campus must be within driving distance from your Stevens Point WI home. Of course if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will limit your options also. But picking the least expensive school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the schools you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior designer program and college that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the field 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 teachers and programs. Just make sure 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Stevens Point WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do mandate 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, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to furnishing an excellent education, the Stevens Point WI school you enroll in should also furnish the appropriate training to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly need some help in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent sign that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It may also indicate that the school has a sizable network of Stevens Point WI business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Stevens Point WI colleges you are reviewing and ask what kind of aid they offer. A number of interior design programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Certain colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide help in securing federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Stevens Point WI programs you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Stevens Point home, go to the school and monitor a few classes. While there speak with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior design program you enroll in provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Stevens Point WI, make certain that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

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

Choose the Right Stevens Point Interior Design School

Picking the ideal interior design college is a critical first step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Locating a school where you will receive your education and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a difficult task regardless of what field you have decided on. As with any undertaking to acquire an advanced education, there are several factors to consider before choosing a school, program, or course. At a minimum, make sure that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. It is still important that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the right final selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Stevens Point Wisconsin.

 

Stevens Point Interior Design Colleges | Stevens Point Interior Design Classes