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Topics to Ask Interior Design Schools
When you have chosen the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your college options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the college must be within commuting distance from your Far Rockaway NY residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will decrease your choices also. But choosing the cheapest school or the one that is closest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you should consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and ultimately pick the ideal degree program.
Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior designer program and college that you choose has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding assessment of their programs and teachers. Just make sure 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 school and the quality of the education are exceptional, it might also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Far Rockaway NY employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.
Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do require that interior designers get 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, a minimum of 2 years of professional experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an exceptional education, the Far Rockaway NY school you select should also provide the proper training 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 Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some support in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are considering 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 esteemed within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It could also signify that the school has a large network of Far Rockaway NY business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the Far Rockaway NY colleges you are evaluating and find out what kind of aid they offer. A number of interior design programs offer financial aid to their new students. Various schools provide partial scholarships while others provide help in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.
How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Far Rockaway NY colleges you are reviewing what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Far Rockaway home, visit the campus and sit in on a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak 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 Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior designer school you select provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Far Rockaway NY, verify that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.