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Questions to Ask Interior Design Colleges
When you have selected the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of evaluating your college options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the campus needs to be within driving distance from your Tucson AZ home. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will limit your choices as well. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should look at as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the schools you are considering to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and ultimately pick the right degree program.
Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's imperative to confirm that the interior design college 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). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their programs and instructors. Just verify that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Tucson AZ employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.
Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several 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 college. And in some of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore besides providing an exceptional education, the Tucson AZ program you choose should also furnish the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for Arizona or the State where you will be employed.
What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some support in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are considering 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 regard within the interior design profession and its students are in demand. It could also signify that the school has a sizable network of Tucson AZ business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Tucson AZ schools you are looking at and find out what type of assistance they provide. Many of interior design schools provide financial assistance to their new students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.
How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Tucson AZ schools you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Tucson home, go to the school and monitor a couple of classes. While there speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their credentials are in interior design.
Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design school you choose provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Tucson AZ, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.