Interior Designer Degree Program
How to Pick the Best One Near Casper Wyoming

So it’s time to begin the process of choosing an interior design school near Casper WY now that you have made a career choice to become an interior designer. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's essential that you obtain the right training to put your natural abilities to work. And since some states do require that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing exam as well. So in order to assess and compare each program you are reviewing before you make your final decision it's crucial that you carry out the appropriate research. But just how do you undertake finding the right school? A number of prospective students will begin their research by searching for interior design colleges near their home and then comparing tuition costs. However, a school is not always the right option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. Qualifiers such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into consideration also. We will cover those topics and other crucial questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are looking at later in this article. But before we do, let's talk a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class choices are available.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Many people mistake interior decoration for interior design and conversely. The key distinction between the two is the level of training required. Any person can do business as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, conducting business as an interior designer requires a formal education and in a number of states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree and be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make living or work areas attractive as well as functional. On many projects they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are 2 general categories that an interior designer in Casper WY may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers often work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design basically any room of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they can specialize in designing one specific room, for instance bathrooms or kitchens.
• Commercial Design. When dealing with commercial or public areas, designers normally focus predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. For example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are spaces where aesthetics may be stressed over function. Designs for hospitals and banks might focus more on functionality over appearance as the main consideration.

There are several areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example lighting, color schemes, acoustics and furniture. They need to be able to read blue prints and use graphic design in order to produce their visions. From picking wall paper and carpeting to including Feng shui principles, Casper WY interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that help bring about their ultimate creations.

Interior Design Degree Programs

There are 4 degree alternatives available in interior design to acquire the training necessary to start your new career in Casper WY. Your choice will no doubt be driven by your career goals as well as the time and money that you have to commit to your education. But regardless of which degree program you opt 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 required in several states. More will be covered on additional benefits of accreditation later. Following are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design furnish the minimum amount of education needed to enter the field. They take roughly two years to finish and programs are offered at many Wyoming vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can usually obtain entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that supply more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the technical and creative components of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a graduating student in order to obtain an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs furnish advanced design training after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide options in specialty majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral degrees are largely for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a university or college level. The degree programs vary in length but are typically completed in three to five years.

To work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In some instances, two or more years of field experience may be called for before a candidate can sit for the licensing examination.

Online Interior Design Schools

For those who wish to attend classes in the convenience of their Casper WY homes, there are accredited online interior design colleges. Attending classes online can be a good option for those students that are working or have hectic schedules that make attending classes on campus challenging. Classes can instead be accessed on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For a number of students online programs may be the only alternative if no interior design colleges are within commuting distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be lower than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as study materials or commuting may be reduced or eliminated also. Just be sure that the school you choose is accredited by a respected accrediting organization, such as the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (more on accreditation later). Online schools may also obtain accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council, which focuses on distance or online education. If you have the discipline to acquire your degree without the confines of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design school may be the ideal option for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Once you have decided on the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of assessing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the college must be within driving distance from your Casper WY residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will limit your choices as well. But selecting the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to 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 in order to help you assess and subsequently choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior designer program and school that you enroll in has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected 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 programs and instructors. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program 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 education are outstanding, it might also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Casper WY employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do mandate that interior designers get 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 several of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of work experience may be required also. So besides providing an exceptional education, the Casper WY school you select should also furnish the proper education to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for Wyoming or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some help in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It may also signify that the school has a substantial network of Casper WY business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial aid departments for the Casper WY schools you are looking at and ask what type of support they offer. A number of interior design colleges provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Various schools offer partial scholarships while others provide help in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Casper WY colleges you are reviewing what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Casper home, go to the campus and attend 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 Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior designer program you choose provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Casper WY, make sure that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.

Learn More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Casper

Choose the Right Casper Interior Design School

Picking the ideal interior design school is a critical initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and fulfilling profession. Locating a school where you will obtain your training and develop your talents in a specific area of study is a difficult task regardless of what field you have selected. As with any endeavor to acquire a higher education, there are a number of things to think about before selecting a course, program or school. At a minimum, make sure that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the profession. It is still essential that you conduct your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining recommendations presented in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the right final selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Casper Wyoming.

 

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