How to Enroll in the Right Interior Design Degree Program

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior designer school near Franklin WI, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's important that you obtain the proper training to put your skills to work. And since some states do require that interior designers become licensed, depending on your state of residence you could need training to pass a licensing examination also. So it's very important that you do the proper research in order to evaluate and compare each college that you are reviewing prior to making your ultimate selection. But where do you begin? Many prospective students will begin their research by searching for interior design programs near their home and then comparing tuition expenses. While cost and location are important factors when making a determination, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifications such as accreditation and reputation must be taken into account also. We will cover those topics and other important questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are researching 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 alternatives are offered.

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Interior Decoration vs Interior Design

Many people mistake interior design for interior decoration. The principal distinction between them is the level of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. On the other hand, working as an interior designer necessitates a formal education and in numerous states one must have an accredited Bachelor's or Associate Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are educated to make living or work spaces attractive as well as functional. On various occasions they may team up with architects and building engineers. There are 2 broad categories that an interior designer in Franklin WI can specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers frequently work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design basically any area of the home, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one particular room, such as kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Designing. When dealing with commercial or public spaces, designers normally concentrate primarily on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but pay attention to both. For example, business meeting rooms and reception areas are spaces where aesthetics may be focused on over function. Designs for banks and hospitals might focus more on functionality over appearance as the primary consideration.

There are various areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, for example lighting, color schemes, furniture and acoustics. They have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to create their visions. From picking carpeting and wall paper to including Feng shui concepts, Franklin Wisconsin interior designers utilize a wide variety of skills that help bring about their final designs.
 

Interior Designer Degrees

There are four degree alternatives available in interior design to acquire the training required to begin your new profession in Franklin WI. Your decision will no doubt be influenced by your career objectives as well as the time and money that you have budgeted to commit to your education. But no matter which degree program you decide to enroll in, be sure to choose one that is accredited. Accreditation is needed in order to take the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination required in a number of states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are short explanations of the interior design degrees that are offered.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum amount of education needed to enter the profession. They take roughly 2 years to complete and programs are offered at many Wisconsin vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can typically obtain entry level employment 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 aspects of the business required to become a designer. They are the lowest 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 provide advanced design training after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices 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. Doctorate degrees are mainly for those professionals who wish to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are typically completed in 3 to 5 years.

To work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states require that graduates of accredited colleges become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of field experience may be called for before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

Online Interior Designer Colleges

For anyone wishing to study in the convenience of their Franklin WI homes, there are online accredited interior design schools. Studying online can be a great alternative for those students that are employed or have hectic schedules that make going to classes on campus difficult. Classes can instead be attended on a home computer or laptop when practical for the student. For some students online programs may be the sole alternative if no interior design schools are within driving distance. And as an additional benefit, the tuition may be cheaper than for more traditional options. Added expenses for such things as commuting or study materials may be minimized or eliminated also. Just be sure that the program you enroll in is accredited by a highly regarded 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 learning. If you have the dedication to acquire your degree without the structure of a physical classroom setting, then an online interior design school may be the perfect alternative for you.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the school has to be within commuting distance from your Franklin WI residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will narrow down your options also. But picking the least expensive school or the one that is closest to home are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to consider as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below are a few questions that you may want to address with the schools you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you assess and subsequently pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior design program and school that you select 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 obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their programs and instructors. Just confirm that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Franklin Wisconsin employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required as well. So in addition to furnishing an exceptional education, the Franklin WI school you select should also provide the proper education to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some support in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It could also indicate that the college has a significant network of Franklin WI business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Franklin WI schools you are looking at and find out what type of assistance they offer. A number of interior designer colleges offer financial assistance to their new students. Some schools provide partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Franklin WI programs you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Franklin home, visit the school and monitor a few classes. While there talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior design college you choose provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Franklin WI, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Choose the Best Interior Designer Program near Franklin Wisconsin

Selecting the ideal interior design school is a crucial first step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Finding a college where you will obtain your training and develop your skills in a specific area of study is a difficult task no matter what major you have chosen. As with any undertaking to attain a higher education, there are a number of points to consider before enrolling in a course, program or school. At a minimum, confirm that the design college and program are both accredited and highly regarded in the field. However it is still important that you carry out your due diligence research. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions presented in this article, you will be able to effectively review and compare interior design programs so that you can make the appropriate final selection. And with quality training and your determination to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in Franklin Wisconsin.