Interior Designer Degree
How to Select 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 picking a school. It's imperative that you get the appropriate training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a knack for designing residential or commercial interiors. And since some states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing examination as well. So in order to assess and compare each program you are considering prior to making your ultimate selection it's crucial that you do the appropriate due diligence. But just how do you undertake finding the right school? When checking out interior design schools, the majority of students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are key factors when making a determination, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation should be considered as well. We will cover those issues and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit about the degree and class choices are available.

IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN CAREER BELOW!

Interior Design Degrees

There are 4 degree options available in interior design to get the training needed to begin your new profession in Wausau WI. Your choice will no doubt be influenced by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, make sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination mandated in some states. More will be addressed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum amount of training required to enter the field. They take about 2 years to finish and programs are available at many Wisconsin community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can usually obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that supply more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical aspects of the business required to become a designer. They are the minimum degree needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced training in design after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialty majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees are primarily for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs vary in length but are normally completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and use the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be required before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

Online Interior Design Courses

For those who wish to study in the comfort of their Wausau WI homes, there are accredited online interior design schools. Attending classes online can be a good option for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For a number of students online colleges may be the sole alternative if no interior design programs are within driving distance. And as an added benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more conventional options. Added expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated also. Just make sure that the college you select is accredited by a respected accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online programs may also acquire accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance education. If you have the dedication to obtain your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design program may be the ideal option for you.

Topics to Ask Interior Design Schools

When you have chosen the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the campus has to be within driving distance from your Wausau WI residence. Of course if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will decrease your choices as well. But selecting the most affordable college or the one that is closest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you should look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a few questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you examine and subsequently select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior designer program and college that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just confirm 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 verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are excellent, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Wausau WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the College 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) examination as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore besides furnishing an outstanding education, the Wausau WI school you choose should also furnish the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet 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 obtained your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some support in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It may also signify that the school has a large network of Wausau WI business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Wausau WI schools you are looking at and find out what type of aid they offer. A number of interior designer schools provide financial aid to their new students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Wausau WI programs you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Wausau home, go to the campus and sit in on a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer program you enroll in provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Wausau WI, make sure that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

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

Enroll in the Best Wausau Interior Design School

Selecting the right interior designer college is an important initial step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding occupation. Finding a college where you will obtain your education and cultivate your talents in a particular area of study is a daunting job no matter what major you have selected. As with any endeavor to acquire an advanced education, there are a number of points to consider before enrolling in a school, program, or course. At a minimum, verify that the program and design college are both accredited and highly respected 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 review and compare interior design schools so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Wausau Wisconsin.

 

Wausau Interior Design Courses Online | Wausau Interior Design Degrees Online