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What to Ask Interior Design Colleges
After you have selected the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the campus needs to be within driving distance from your El Mirage AZ residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will narrow down your options also. But selecting the least expensive school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a few questions that you may want to address with the programs you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you examine and ultimately pick the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior design school and program that you choose has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning 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 confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of El Mirage AZ 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 get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. So aside from furnishing an outstanding education, the El Mirage AZ program you enroll in should also furnish the suitable instruction 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 College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some support in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It may also signify that the school has a substantial network of El Mirage AZ business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.
Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial assistance departments for the El Mirage AZ colleges you are reviewing and find out what type of support they offer. A number of interior designer schools offer financial aid to their incoming students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.
How Big are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the El Mirage AZ colleges you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your El Mirage home, visit the school and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and find out 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 Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior design school you select provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near El Mirage AZ, verify that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.