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Interior Designer College
How to Find the Right One Near Athens Alabama

Athens Alabama modern interior designed office meeting roomSo it’s time to start the task of selecting an interior design school near Athens AL once you have made a career decision to become an interior designer. Even if you have always had a gift for designing residential or commercial interiors, it's important that you obtain the appropriate training to put your skills to work. And since interior designers must be licensed in a number of states, the school you select should prepare you to pass any required licensing test and provide the proper training for your specialty. So in order to evaluate and compare each college you are considering before you make your final decision it's vital that you carry out the proper due diligence. But just where do you start? When checking out interior design programs, the majority of students start by zeroing in on the ones that are closest to their homes with the cheapest tuition. But keep in mind, a school is not always the best option simply because it has the lowest tuition or is located closest to your home. There are a number of other factors that you should evaluate when comparing schools, for instance reputation and accreditation. We will address those issues and other vital questions that you must ask the interior design schools you are looking at in more detail below. 

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What to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Athens Alabama interior designed living room

Now that you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of evaluating your school options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the campus has to be within driving distance from your Athens AL home. Obviously if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will narrow down your options also. But picking the least expensive school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to look at also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a few concerns that you may want to address with the schools you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others to help you compare and subsequently choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior design college and program that you enroll in 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 gone through a rigorous evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just make sure 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 confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Athens AL employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some 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 school. And in some of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required also. Therefore besides furnishing an outstanding education, the Athens AL school you select should also furnish the proper training to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for Alabama or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some support in finding your first job. Ask the programs 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 an excellent indication that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its graduates are sought after. It could also signify that the college has a significant network of Athens AL business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Athens AL colleges you are looking at and ask what type of support they provide. Many of interior design programs offer financial assistance to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide help in obtaining federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Athens AL schools you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Athens home, go to the campus and monitor a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior designer school you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Athens AL, verify that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.

Find Out More About How to Become an Interior Designer in Athens

Choose the Best Athens Interior Design College

Selecting the right interior design program is a critical first step toward launching your career in this artistic and rewarding profession. Searching for a school where you will receive your education and develop your skills in a particular area of study is a difficult job regardless of what major you have decided on. As with any endeavor to attain a higher education, there are several things to consider before choosing a course, program or school. At a minimum, make sure that the design college and program are both accredited and highly respected in the business. It is still imperative that you perform your due diligence analysis. By doing so and following the balance of the suggestions provided in this article, you will be able to effectively assess and compare interior design colleges so that you can make the ideal ultimate selection. And with quality training and your desire to succeed, you can accomplish your goal of becoming an interior designer in Athens Alabama.





 

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