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Questions to Ask Interior Designer Programs
Now that you have selected the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the campus must be within commuting distance from your Queen Creek AZ residence. Of course if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will decrease your options also. But picking the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and ultimately select the ideal degree program.
Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior designer program and college that you enroll in 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 gone through an extensive assessment of their programs and instructors. Just confirm that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Queen Creek AZ employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.
Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require 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 mandating licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required as well. So besides furnishing an exceptional education, the Queen Creek AZ college you select should also provide the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for Arizona or the State where you will be working.
What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some help in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher 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 significant network of Queen Creek AZ business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.
Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Queen Creek AZ colleges you are evaluating and ask what kind of aid they provide. A number of interior design schools offer financial aid to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in obtaining grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.
How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Queen Creek AZ schools you are reviewing what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Queen Creek home, visit the college and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.
Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design college you choose offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Queen Creek AZ, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.