Interior Designer Degree
How to Find the Right One Near Wausau Wisconsin

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design school near Wausau WI, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. It's important that you get the appropriate training to put your skills to work, even if you have always had a knack for designing residential or commercial interiors. And since interior designers are licensed in a number of states, the school you select should prep you to pass any required licensing test as well as provide the proper training for your specialty. So in order to assess and compare each program you are considering prior to making your ultimate decision it's very important that you perform the appropriate research. But exactly where do you start? When checking out interior design schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on those that are nearest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. However, a school is not always the best option 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 comparing schools, for example accreditation and reputation. We will cover those topics and other vital 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 about the degree and class alternatives are offered.

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Interior Designer Degree Programs

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to receive the training needed to launch your new profession in Wausau WI. Your selection will undoubtedly be driven by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt to enroll in, make certain to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is mandated in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in several states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Below are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum amount of training required to enter the field. They take about two years to finish and programs are available at many Wisconsin vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can typically qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that furnish more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the creative and technical aspects of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs provide advanced training in design after acquiring the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer options in specialty majors in general areas such as residential bathrooms or business offices. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate programs are mainly for those professionals who want 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 schools become licensed. In several instances, two or more years of field experience may be needed before an applicant can take the licensing examination.

Online Interior Designer Colleges

For anyone wishing' to study in the convenience of their Wausau WI homes, there are online accredited interior design degrees. Studying online can be an excellent solution for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For some students online programs may be the sole alternative if no interior design colleges are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more conventional options. Additional expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated also. Just be sure that the college you choose is accredited by a highly regarded accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also receive 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 program may be the right option for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Now that you have decided on the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the campus must be within driving distance from your Wausau WI home. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But selecting the cheapest school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you compare and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's important to make sure 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 highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation of their programs and instructors. Just verify 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 training are exceptional, it might also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Wausau WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to furnishing an exceptional education, the Wausau WI program you select should also provide the proper training to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum licensing requirements 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 designer certification, you will probably want some support in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high 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 signify that the school has a sizable network of Wausau WI business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

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

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Wausau WI schools you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Wausau home, visit the college and sit in on a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer program you enroll in offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Wausau WI, confirm that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Find Out More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Wausau

Enroll in the Right Wausau Interior Design College

Choosing the ideal interior designer school is a critical first step toward launching your career in this creative and gratifying occupation. Locating a school where you will receive your training and cultivate your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult job no matter what major you have chosen. As with any endeavor to attain an advanced education, there are many points to consider before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, verify that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the field. It is still imperative that you complete your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right final selection. And with excellent training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Wausau Wisconsin.

 

Wausau Interior Design Programs | Wausau Interior Design Courses