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Topics to Ask Interior Design Colleges
Now that you have decided on the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of assessing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the school needs to be within commuting distance from your Casas Adobes AZ home. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will narrow down your choices also. But choosing the cheapest college or the one that is closest to home are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to look at as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a few questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and ultimately pick the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the interior designer college and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just make sure 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 verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Casas Adobes AZ employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.
Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would require 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 calling for licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required as well. So besides providing an exceptional education, the Casas Adobes AZ school you choose should also provide the proper training to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for Arizona or the State where you will be employed.
What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will probably need some support in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It may also indicate that the school has a sizable network of Casas Adobes AZ business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Casas Adobes AZ schools you are evaluating and find out what type of support they offer. Many of interior design schools offer financial aid to their incoming students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide help in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.
How Big are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Casas Adobes AZ colleges you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Casas Adobes home, go to the campus and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their credentials are in interior design.
Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design school you choose offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Casas Adobes AZ, make certain that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.