How to Find the Best Interior Designer Degree Program

Once you have made a decision to enroll in an interior design degree program near New Berlin WI, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a talent for designing commercial or residential spaces, it's essential that you receive the proper training to put your talents to work. And since several states do mandate that interior designers be licensed, depending on your state of residence you may need training to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's crucial that you do the appropriate research so that you can analyze and compare each college that you are considering prior to making your final choice. But exactly where do you start? Some potential students will launch their research by looking for interior design courses near their home and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are relevant variables when making a decision, they should not be the only ones. Qualifiers such as accreditation and reputation need to be taken into account as well. We will cover those topics and other vital questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are interested in later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and class options are available.

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Interior Design vs Interior Decoration

Often people mistake interior decoration for interior design. The principal distinction between the two is the amount of training required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a basic knowledge of or a talent for decorating interior areas. However, working as an interior designer requires a formal education and in many states one must have an accredited Associate or Bachelor's Degree as well as be licensed. Interior designers are taught to make work or residential spaces attractive as well as functional. On some projects they may collaborate with architects and building engineers. There are 2 general areas that an interior designer in New Berlin WI may specialize in:

• Residential Designing. Interior Designers often work on existing homes as well as new construction. They can design essentially any area of a house, including bedrooms, closets and basements. Or they may specialize in designing one particular room, for instance kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Design. When working on commercial or public areas, designers normally concentrate predominantly 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 hospitals and banks may focus more on functionality over looks as the primary concern.

There are various areas of residential and commercial interior design that a designer needs to learn, such as color schemes, lighting, furniture and acoustics. Designers must be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From choosing wall paper and carpeting to including Feng shui principles, New Berlin Wisconsin interior designers employ a wide variety of skills that contribute to their ultimate creations.
 

Interior Design Degree Options

There are four degree options available in interior design to get the training required to launch your new profession in New Berlin WI. Your decision will undoubtedly be driven by your career goals in addition to the time and money that you have to commit to 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 qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in some states. More will be addressed on additional accreditation benefits later. Below are brief explanations of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Associate degrees in interior design provide the minimum level of education required to enter the field. They take approximately two years to finish and programs are available at many Wisconsin community colleges and vocational schools. Graduates can normally qualify for entry level jobs as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that provide more in depth training than the Associate Degree. They cover the creative and technical aspects of the trade required to become a designer. They are the lowest credential needed by a college graduate in order to secure an entry level job as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs furnish advanced training in design after achieving a Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees offer choices in specialized majors for such things as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to enhance their skills to be more competitive in the job market.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctoral programs are primarily for those professionals who want to teach interior design at a college or university level. The degree programs differ in length but are usually completed in 3 to 5 years.

In order to work as a professional and adopt the title of "Interior Designer", a number of states mandate that graduates of accredited degree programs become licensed. In several instances, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required before a candidate can take the licensing exam.

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Schools

After you have selected the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of evaluating your school options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the school must be within driving distance from your New Berlin WI home. Naturally if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will decrease your choices as well. But picking the cheapest school or the one that is closest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other things that you should look at also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a few concerns that you may want to address with the schools you are looking at to get those answers as well as others in order to help you examine and ultimately pick the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior design school and program that you select has earned accreditation from 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 receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous 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 recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are exceptional, it may also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many New Berlin Wisconsin employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the College Ready 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) examination as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States mandating licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required as well. So in addition to providing an excellent education, the New Berlin WI program you select should also provide the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly need some support in finding your first position. Ask the programs 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 indication that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It could also indicate that the school has a large network of New Berlin WI business connections where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial assistance departments for the New Berlin WI colleges you are reviewing and ask what type of support they offer. Many of interior design programs provide financial aid to their new students. Some schools provide partial scholarships while others provide help in obtaining federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the New Berlin WI schools you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your New Berlin home, visit the campus and sit in on a few classes. While there speak with some 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 Offered that Fit your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior designer school you choose provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near New Berlin WI, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.

Choose the Best Interior Designer Program near New Berlin Wisconsin

Selecting the ideal interior design college is an important initial step toward launching your career in this artistic and gratifying profession. Searching for a college where you will receive your education and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a difficult job no matter what field you have selected. As with any endeavor to receive a higher education, there are many factors to consider before enrolling in a program, course or school. At a minimum, confirm that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the business. But it is still essential that you conduct your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the remaining recommendations provided in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design schools so that you can make the right final selection. And with excellent training and your desire to succeed, you can achieve your goal of becoming an interior designer in New Berlin Wisconsin.