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Questions to Ask Interior Designer Colleges
Once you have chosen the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your college options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the campus must be within driving distance from your Bay Shore NY home. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will limit your options as well. But picking the cheapest college 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 also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the schools you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and subsequently pick the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to confirm that the interior design college and program that you choose has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just confirm 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Bay Shore NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.
Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some 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 program. And in several of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from providing an excellent education, the Bay Shore NY school you select should also provide the proper education to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for New York or the State where you will be working.
What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It may also signify that the college has a significant network of Bay Shore NY business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the Bay Shore NY schools you are reviewing and ask what kind of support they offer. Many of interior design schools offer financial assistance to their new students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.
How Large are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Bay Shore NY schools you are considering what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Bay Shore home, visit the campus and monitor a couple of classes. While there 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 Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior design program you select provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Bay Shore NY, verify that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.