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Topics to Ask Interior Design Schools
When you have decided on the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the school needs to be within commuting distance from your Carrboro NC home. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will decrease your options as well. But selecting the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a list of questions that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and subsequently select the right degree program.
Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior designer college and program that you select has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected 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 programs and instructors. 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 verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are excellent, it might also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Carrboro NC employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.
Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required also. So aside from furnishing an exceptional education, the Carrboro NC program you choose should also furnish the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for North Carolina or the State where you will be working.
What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some help in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It could also signify that the college has a sizable network of Carrboro NC business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Carrboro NC schools you are reviewing and ask what kind of assistance they provide. Many of interior designer colleges offer financial aid to their incoming students. Some schools provide partial scholarships and others provide assistance in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.
How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Carrboro NC colleges you are reviewing what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Carrboro home, visit the school and attend a couple of 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 Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior design program you choose offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Carrboro NC, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.