How to Find the Right Interior Design College

Once you have decided to enroll in an interior designer degree program near Oshkosh WI, it's time to start the process of choosing a school. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial spaces, it's imperative that you obtain the right training to put your talents to work. And since a number of states do require that interior designers become licensed, based upon your state of residence you may need preparation to pass a licensing exam as well. So it's essential that you do the appropriate research in order to analyze and compare each college that you are considering before you make your ultimate decision. But just where do you start? A number of potential students will kick off their research by searching for interior design programs near their residence and then comparing tuition costs. While cost and location are relevant factors when making a determination, they should not be the sole ones. Qualifications such as reputation and accreditation should be taken into consideration also. We will discuss those issues and other important questions that you should be asking the interior design schools you are reviewing later in this article. But first, let's cover a little bit more about what interior design is and what degree and training options are offered.

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Interior Design and Interior Decoration

Many people confuse interior design for interior decoration. The primary distinction between the two is the amount of education required. Anyone can work as an interior decorator if they possess a general knowledge of or a skill for decorating interior spaces. However, working as an interior designer necessitates 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 spaces functional as well as attractive. On various occasions they may collaborate with building engineers and architects. There are two broad categories that an interior designer in Oshkosh WI can specialize in:

• Residential Design. Interior Designers often work on new construction and existing homes. They can design basically any room of a house, including bedrooms, basements and closets. Or they can specialize in designing one particular room, such as kitchens or bathrooms.
• Commercial Design. When working on public or commercial spaces, designers often concentrate predominantly on either functionality or aesthetic appeal but take notice of both. For example, business reception areas and meeting rooms are areas where aesthetics may be emphasized over function. Designs for banks and hospitals may concentrate more on functionality over appearance as the primary concern.

There are numerous areas of commercial and residential interior design that a designer must learn, including color schemes, lighting, acoustics and furniture. They have to be able to use graphic design and read blue prints in order to produce their visions. From picking wall paper and carpeting to incorporating Feng shui principles, Oshkosh Wisconsin interior designers utilize a wide range of skills that contribute to their ultimate designs.
 

Interior Designer Training Programs

There are four degree options offered in interior design to obtain the training required to begin your new career in Oshkosh WI. Your selection will undoubtedly be driven by your career objectives in addition to the time and money that you have to devote to your education. But regardless of which degree program you choose to enroll in, make certain to select one that is accredited. Accreditation is required in order to qualify for the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam required in a number of states. More will be discussed on additional accreditation benefits later. Following are brief descriptions of the interior design degrees that are available.

• Associate Degree. Interior Design Associate Degrees furnish the minimum amount of education required to enter the field. They take about two years to finish and programs are available at many Wisconsin vocational schools and community colleges. Graduates can commonly obtain entry level positions as design assistants.
• Bachelor's Degree. Bachelor's degrees are four year programs that supply more comprehensive training than the Associate Degree. They deal with the technical and creative aspects of the trade needed to become a designer. They are the lowest degree needed by a graduating student in order to secure an entry level position as an interior designer.
• Master's Degree. These 2 year programs supply advanced training in design after achieving the Bachelor's Degree. Master's Degrees provide choices in specialized majors in general areas such as business offices or residential bathrooms. Many students enroll to advance their skills to be more competitive in their careers.
• Doctorate Degree. Doctorate degrees 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 3 to 5 years.

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

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of evaluating your school options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the school has to be within commuting distance from your Oshkosh WI home. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will decrease your options also. But selecting the least expensive school or the one that is closest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you should consider as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the schools you are considering to get those answers as well as others to help you assess and subsequently choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design School 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 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 college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are outstanding, it may also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Oshkosh Wisconsin employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several 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 some of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of work experience may be required as well. So besides furnishing an outstanding education, the Oshkosh WI college you choose should also furnish the proper education to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the schools 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 a good sign that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It could also signify that the college has a sizable network of Oshkosh WI business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Oshkosh WI colleges you are looking at and find out what kind of assistance they provide. Many of interior designer colleges provide financial assistance to their new students. Various schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Oshkosh WI schools you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Oshkosh home, visit the school and attend a couple of classes. While there talk with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior design program you enroll in offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Oshkosh WI, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.

Enroll in the Right Interior Design Program near Oshkosh Wisconsin

Picking the ideal interior designer school is an important first step toward launching your career in this creative and fulfilling occupation. Locating a school where you will receive your training and develop your talents in a particular area of study is a daunting task no matter what major you have selected. As with any undertaking to acquire an advanced education, there are several things to consider before selecting a course, program or school. At a minimum, make sure that the program and design school are both accredited and highly esteemed in the field. However it is still imperative that you conduct your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to properly evaluate and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with superior training and your determination to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Oshkosh Wisconsin.