Interior Designer Program
How to Pick the Right One Near Whitewater Wisconsin

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior design college near Whitewater WI, it's time to begin the process of selecting a school. It's important that you get the best available training to develop your skills, even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential interiors. And since several states do mandate that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing examination as well. So in order to analyze and compare each college you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection it's essential that you perform the proper due diligence. But just how do you go about finding the right program? When checking out interior design schools, many potential students begin by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the lowest tuition. While cost and location are key issues when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. There are several other considerations that you should weigh when comparing schools, such as reputation and accreditation. We will cover those issues and other vital questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit about the degree and class options are offered.

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Interior Design Degree Programs

There are four degree alternatives offered in interior design to acquire the training necessary to launch your new career in Whitewater WI. Your choice will undoubtedly be motivated by your career goals as well as the money and time that you have to invest in your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, be sure to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam mandated in a number of states. More will be discussed on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees provide the minimum amount of education required to enter the field. They take roughly 2 years to complete and programs are available at many Wisconsin community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can usually qualify for entry level employment as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are 4 year programs that provide more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical components 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 2 year programs supply advanced design training after acquiring a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialized 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. Doctorate programs are largely for those professionals who desire to teach interior design at a university or college level. The programs vary in length but are typically completed in three to five years.

In order to work professionally and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be needed before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Online Interior Designer Colleges

For students who to study in the comfort of their Whitewater WI homes, there are accredited online interior design programs. Studying online can be a good solution for those students that are working or have busy schedules that make attending classes on campus problematic. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when convenient for the student. For some students online colleges may be the sole alternative if no interior design colleges are within commuting 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 decreased or eliminated also. Just make sure that the school you select is accredited by a recognized accrediting agency, 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 education. If you have the dedication to earn your degree without the confines of a physical classroom environment, then an online interior design program may be the perfect option for you.

What to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Now that you have chosen the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the school needs to be within driving distance from your Whitewater WI home. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your choices as well. But picking the cheapest school or the one that is closest to your house are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to look at also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a few questions that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others to help you assess and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior design program and school that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding assessment of their instructors and programs. Just verify 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are excellent, it might also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Whitewater WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the Program Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do require that interior designers get 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 some of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of work experience may be required as well. So in addition to providing an excellent education, the Whitewater WI school you choose should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some support in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It might also signify that the school has a substantial network of Whitewater WI business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Whitewater WI schools you are evaluating and ask what kind of assistance they provide. Many of interior design programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Whitewater WI programs you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Whitewater home, go to the school and sit in on a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk 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 Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior designer college you choose provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Whitewater WI, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Learn More About Becoming an Interior Designer in Whitewater

Choose the Best Whitewater Interior Design College

Choosing the ideal interior designer school is a critical initial step toward starting your career in this creative and fulfilling profession. Locating a school where you will receive your education and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a challenging task no matter what field you have selected. As with any endeavor to attain a higher education, there are several points to think about before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design school are both accredited and highly regarded in the business. It is still essential that you conduct your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the rest of the recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal final selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Whitewater Wisconsin.

 

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