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Questions to Ask Interior Designer Schools
After you have selected the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your Bronx NY home. Of course if you are interested in attending an online school, 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 selecting the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the programs you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others to help you assess and subsequently choose the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior designer program and school that you select has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone 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 acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Bronx NY employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.
Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to furnishing an excellent education, the Bronx NY college you enroll in should also provide the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for New York or the State where you will be employed.
What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will probably want some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It could also indicate that the school has a substantial network of Bronx NY business connections where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.
Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Bronx NY colleges you are reviewing and find out what kind of assistance they provide. Many of interior designer programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.
How Big are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Bronx NY colleges you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Bronx home, go to the school 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 philosophies are and what their credentials are in interior design.
Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior design program you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Bronx NY, confirm that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, verify that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.