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Questions to Ask Interior Designer Schools
Once you have decided on the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of assessing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the school needs to be within commuting distance from your Marietta GA home. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will narrow down your options as well. But selecting the most affordable school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you need to look at also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you examine and subsequently select the right degree program.
Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's essential to confirm that the interior design program and school that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just confirm that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Marietta GA employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.
Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from furnishing an excellent education, the Marietta GA program you select should also furnish the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Georgia or the State where you will be employed.
What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will probably need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its graduates are sought after. It might also indicate that the college has a large network of Marietta GA business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.
Is Financial Aid Provided? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Marietta GA schools you are reviewing and ask what kind of support they provide. Many of interior design colleges offer financial assistance to their new students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide support in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.
How Large are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Marietta GA schools you are reviewing what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Marietta home, go to the college and attend a few classes. While there talk with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.
Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer college you choose offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Marietta GA, confirm that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.