Interior Designer College
How to Pick the Best One Near Waukesha Wisconsin

So it’s time to begin the task of picking an interior design school near Waukesha WI now that you have made a career decision to study to be an interior designer. It's imperative 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 since interior designers are 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 evaluate and compare each college you are reviewing prior to making your final choice it's very important that you carry out the proper due diligence. But just how do you approach finding the right school? When looking for interior design programs, many potential students begin by targeting the ones that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. While location and cost are key factors when making a decision, they are by no means the sole ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into account as well. We will discuss those topics and other crucial questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit about the degree and class options are offered.

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Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives offered in interior design to acquire the training necessary to start your new career in Waukesha WI. Your selection will no doubt be driven by your career goals as well as the money and time that you have to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt 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) examination required in a number of states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design supply the minimum level of education required to enter the field. They take about 2 years to complete and programs are available at numerous Wisconsin vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can normally qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical facets of the business required to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs furnish advanced design training after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer alternatives 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 the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are mainly for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are typically completed in three to five years.

To work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require 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 examination.

Online Interior Design Classes

For those who wish to study in the convenience of their Waukesha WI homes, there are online accredited interior design schools. Studying online can be a great option for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For a number of students online colleges may be the sole option if no interior design schools are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Added costs for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated also. Just be sure that the school you enroll in is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also earn accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online learning. If you have the discipline to acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design college may be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Now that you have decided on the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the task of evaluating your school options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the campus must be within commuting distance from your Waukesha WI residence. Naturally 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 choices as well. But selecting the least expensive school or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you should consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you compare and subsequently choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior designer school and program that you select has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding assessment of their programs and teachers. Just confirm 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 confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Waukesha WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States calling for licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. So in addition to furnishing an excellent education, the Waukesha WI program you enroll in should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will probably need some help in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It may also indicate that the school has a substantial network of Waukesha WI business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial aid departments for the Waukesha WI colleges you are evaluating and find out what type of assistance they offer. A number of interior design programs offer financial aid to their new students. Some schools offer partial scholarships while others provide support in obtaining federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Waukesha WI colleges you are looking at what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Waukesha home, go to the college and attend a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and ask 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 Fit your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design college you choose provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Waukesha WI, verify that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an alternative as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Learn More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Waukesha

Choose the Best Waukesha Interior Design College

Choosing the ideal interior design program is a crucial first step toward starting your career in this creative and gratifying occupation. Searching for a school where you will receive your education and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult task no matter what major you have selected. As with any endeavor to attain a higher education, there are several points to consider before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, check that the design college and program are both accredited and highly esteemed in the field. It is still important that you perform your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design schools so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with excellent training and your drive to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Waukesha Wisconsin.

 

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