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What to Ask Interior Designer Programs
Now that you have decided on the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of evaluating your school options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the campus needs to be within driving distance from your Schodack 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 qualifier. The cost of tuition will decrease your choices also. But picking 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 variables that you should look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the schools you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and subsequently pick the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the interior designer school and program that you enroll in 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). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive 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 acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are exceptional, it might also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Schodack NY employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.
Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to furnishing an outstanding education, the Schodack NY school you choose should also furnish the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for New York or the State where you will be working.
What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent sign that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It could also signify that the school has a sizable network of Schodack NY business connections where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Schodack NY colleges you are evaluating and find out what type of assistance they offer. A number of interior designer colleges offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide help in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.
How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Schodack NY colleges you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Schodack home, visit the campus and monitor a few classes. While there speak with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.
Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior designer school you enroll in provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Schodack NY, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.