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Questions to Ask Interior Design Colleges
After you have decided on the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the college has to be within commuting distance from your Somers NY residence. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But selecting the most affordable school or the one that is closest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the colleges you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others to help you compare and subsequently pick the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior designer school and program that you choose has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are excellent, it might also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Somers NY employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.
Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, 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) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required also. So aside from furnishing an excellent education, the Somers NY college you enroll in should also furnish the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for New York or the State where you will be employed.
What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It could also indicate that the school has a substantial network of Somers NY business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Somers NY colleges you are evaluating and ask what type of aid they offer. Many of interior design programs offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Some schools offer partial scholarships while others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.
How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Somers NY colleges you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Somers home, go to the college and monitor a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.
Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design school you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Somers NY, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.