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Questions to Ask Interior Design Schools
Once you have decided on the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the school must be within commuting distance from your Sierra Vista Southeast AZ home. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will limit your choices also. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is closest to home are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other things that you should look at also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a few concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and subsequently choose the right degree program.
Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior design school and program that you select has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding assessment of their programs and teachers. Just verify that both the degree program and the college 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 exceptional, it may also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Sierra Vista Southeast AZ employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.
Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, 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 in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from furnishing an exceptional education, the Sierra Vista Southeast AZ program you enroll in should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for Arizona or the State where you will be employed.
What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It may also indicate that the college has a large network of Sierra Vista Southeast AZ business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Sierra Vista Southeast AZ colleges you are looking at and find out what type of support they offer. Many of interior design colleges offer financial assistance to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide help in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.
How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Sierra Vista Southeast AZ programs you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Sierra Vista Southeast home, visit the school and monitor a few 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 credentials are in interior design.
Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior designer program you choose provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Sierra Vista Southeast AZ, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an option also. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.