Interior Designer Degree
How to Pick the Best One Near Wausau Wisconsin

So it’s time to begin the task of picking an interior design school near Wausau 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 put your skills to work, even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial interiors. And since a number of states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you could need preparation to pass a licensing exam as well. So in order to assess and compare each school you are reviewing before you make your final choice it's crucial that you perform the proper research. But just how do you go about enrolling in the right school? A number of potential students will kick off their research by searching for interior design schools near their residence and then comparing tuition expenses. However, a school is not always the best option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation must be considered also. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are researching in more detail below. 

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Topics to Ask Interior Designer Schools

After you have selected the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your Wausau WI home. Of course if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will narrow down your choices also. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you should look at as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a few questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others to help you compare and subsequently pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's imperative to confirm that the interior design school and program that you choose has been accredited by 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 receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just make sure that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Wausau WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore besides furnishing an excellent education, the Wausau WI program you choose should also furnish the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some help in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are considering 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 held in high regard within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It might also indicate that the school has a large network of Wausau WI business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the Wausau WI colleges you are reviewing and find out what kind of support they offer. A number of interior designer colleges provide financial aid to their incoming students. Various schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Wausau WI schools you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Wausau home, go to the school and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer school you enroll in provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Wausau WI, make certain that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.

Find Out More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Wausau

Choose the Right Wausau Interior Design College

Picking the ideal interior design college is a crucial initial step toward starting your career in this creative and rewarding profession. Finding a college where you will obtain your education and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a challenging task no matter what field you have selected. As with any endeavor to receive a higher education, there are a number of points to think about before choosing a program, course or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design college are both accredited and highly esteemed in the field. It is still essential that you conduct your due diligence research. By doing so and following the remaining suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly assess and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the appropriate ultimate selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Wausau Wisconsin.

 

Wausau Interior Design Colleges | Wausau Interior Design Classes