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

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Wausau WI, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. 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 because interior designers are licensed in a number of states, the school you select should prep you to pass any required licensing test and provide the necessary training for your specialty. So it's essential you do the proper research so that you can analyze and compare each college that you are considering prior to making your ultimate choice. But just how do you undertake enrolling in the right program? A number of prospective students will start their research by looking for interior design colleges near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it happens to have a campus near your home or is lower in cost. There are a number of other factors that you should weigh when reviewing schools, for instance accreditation and reputation. We will discuss those topics and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit about the degree and training alternatives are available.

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Interior Design Degree Programs

There are four degree options offered in interior design to obtain the training required to start your new career in Wausau WI. Your decision will undoubtedly be driven by your career goals in addition to the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you choose to enroll in, make sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in several states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum level of training required to enter the profession. They take roughly two years to complete and programs are available at numerous Wisconsin trade schools and junior colleges. Graduates can commonly qualify for entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that furnish more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical components of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These two year programs supply advanced design training after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to improve 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 college or university level. The programs differ in length but are generally completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work professionally 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 needed before an applicant can sit for the licensing exam.

Online Interior Design Courses

For students who to study in the comfort of their Wausau WI homes, there are accredited online interior design classes. Studying online can be a great alternative for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be accessed on a laptop or a personal computer when practical for the student. For many students online schools may be the sole option 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 make sure that the program you select is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online colleges may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on online or distance learning. If you have the dedication to acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design college may be the right option for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Design Programs

Now that you have chosen the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of evaluating your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the campus must be within driving distance from your Wausau WI home. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will decrease your options also. But selecting the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you need to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you examine and subsequently select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior designer college and program that you choose 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just verify that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are exceptional, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Wausau WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require 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 program. And in several of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from providing an outstanding education, the Wausau WI program you choose should also provide the proper training to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will probably need some help in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It might also indicate that the school has a large network of Wausau WI business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial aid departments for the Wausau WI schools you are evaluating and find out what kind of aid they offer. Many of interior designer programs provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Various schools offer partial scholarships while others provide help in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Wausau WI schools you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Wausau home, go to the school and attend 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 credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design school you enroll in provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Wausau WI, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.

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

Enroll in the Right Wausau Interior Design College

Choosing the right interior design school is a critical initial step toward starting your career in this creative and fulfilling profession. Finding a college where you will obtain your education and cultivate your skills in a specific area of study is a challenging task no matter what field you have decided on. As with any undertaking to receive a higher education, there are many factors to consider before enrolling in a school, program, or course. At a minimum, verify that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the field. It is still important that you carry out your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to properly review and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Wausau Wisconsin.

 

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