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Subjects to Ask Interior Design Colleges
When you have selected the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the campus needs to be within driving distance from your Burlington NC residence. Of course if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will limit your choices as well. But selecting the cheapest school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to look at also, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a list of questions that you may want to address with the schools you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others to help you examine and ultimately choose the right degree program.
Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's necessary to confirm that the interior design college and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from 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). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just make sure that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Burlington NC employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.
Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. So aside from providing an excellent education, the Burlington NC program you select should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for North Carolina or the State where you will be working.
What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the schools 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 esteem within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It might also indicate that the school has a significant network of Burlington NC business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Burlington NC schools you are looking at and find out what type of support they provide. A number of interior design colleges provide financial aid to their incoming students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in obtaining grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.
How Big are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Burlington NC colleges you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Burlington home, visit the college and sit in on a few classes. While there speak with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.
Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior design school you select offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Burlington NC, verify that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.