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Topics to Ask Interior Design Schools
After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of assessing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the school has to be within commuting distance from your Douglaston NY home. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your options also. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other things that you need to look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and ultimately choose the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior designer program and college that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous assessment of their teachers 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Douglaston NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.
Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do mandate that interior designers get 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 some of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required also. Therefore aside from providing an exceptional education, the Douglaston NY college you enroll in should also provide the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy 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 received your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly need some help in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It might also signify that the school has a sizable network of Douglaston NY business connections where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.
Is Financial Aid Provided? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Douglaston NY schools you are reviewing and find out what kind of support they offer. Many of interior design schools offer financial aid to their incoming students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.
How Big are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Douglaston NY schools you are reviewing what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Douglaston home, go to the college and monitor a few classes. While there talk with some 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 Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior designer school you select offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Douglaston NY, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.