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

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design college near Waukesha WI, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors, it's essential that you get the right training to put your skills to work. And since interior designers are licensed in several states, the school you choose should prep you to pass any required licensing test as well as provide the necessary training for your specialty. So in order to assess and compare each school you are looking at prior to making your final decision it's crucial that you do the appropriate due diligence. But just how do you approach enrolling in the right program? When looking for interior design schools, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the right choice just because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are many other factors that you should evaluate when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will address those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class options are offered.

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Interior Design Compared to Interior Decoration

Some people confuse interior design for interior decoration and conversely. The key distinction between them is the amount of education required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they have a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, working as an interior designer requires formal training and in a number of states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are trained to make work or living spaces attractive as well as functional. On various occasions they may team up with building engineers and architects. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in Waukesha WI may specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers frequently work on new construction and existing homes. They can design basically any room of the home, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they can specialize in designing one specific room, such as kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Designing. When working on public or commercial spaces, designers normally concentrate predominantly on either aesthetic appeal or functionality but pay attention to both. As an example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are spaces where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for banks and hospitals might focus more on functionality over appearance as the primary consideration.

There are several areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, such as lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. They have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From picking carpeting and wall paper to incorporating Feng shui concepts, Waukesha WI interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that help bring about their ultimate creations.

Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are 4 degree options offered in interior design to acquire the training needed to begin your new career in Waukesha WI. Your choice will no doubt be influenced by your career objectives as well as the time and money that you have budgeted to devote to your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make certain to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in a number of states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees supply the minimum amount of education required to enter the field. They take roughly two years to complete and programs are offered at many Wisconsin trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can normally qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that deliver more extensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative aspects of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced training in design after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are largely for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs differ in length but are normally completed in three to five years.

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 some instances, two or more years of professional experience may be required before an applicant can take the licensing exam.

Online Interior Design Classes

For those who wish to study in the convenience of their Waukesha WI homes, there are online accredited interior design classes. Studying online can be a great alternative for those students that are employed or have busy schedules that make going to classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For many students online colleges may be the only alternative if no interior design colleges 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 commuting or study materials may be reduced or eliminated as well. Just make certain that the college you choose is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting agency, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. 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 right option for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Once you have chosen the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your school options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the campus must be within commuting distance from your Waukesha WI residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will limit your choices as well. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is closest to home are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you need to look at as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the programs you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others in order to help you examine and subsequently choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior design school and program that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining 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 acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are exceptional, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Waukesha WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do require that interior designers become 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 school. And in several of those States calling for licensing, a minimum of 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. So aside from providing an exceptional education, the Waukesha WI college you choose should also provide the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design profession and its graduates are sought after. It could also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Waukesha WI business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the Waukesha WI colleges you are looking at and find out what type of aid they offer. A number of interior design colleges offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Some colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide assistance in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Waukesha WI colleges you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Waukesha home, go to the college and sit in on a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some 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? Last, confirm that the interior designer school you select provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Waukesha WI, make certain that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Learn More About Studying to Become an Interior Designer in Waukesha

Choose the Best Waukesha Interior Design College

Selecting the ideal interior design school is an important initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding occupation. Searching for a college where you will receive your education and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a challenging task no matter what major you have decided on. As with any undertaking to acquire a higher education, there are a number of things to consider before selecting a school, program, or course. At a minimum, confirm that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the field. It is still important that you complete your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the right final selection. And with superior training and your drive to succeed, you can reach your goal of becoming an interior designer in Waukesha Wisconsin.

 

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