IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN CAREER BELOW!
Topics to Ask Interior Design Schools
When you have decided on the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the task of assessing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the college needs to be within driving distance from your Clemmons NC residence. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will decrease your choices also. But choosing the cheapest college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to look at also, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the programs you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you assess and subsequently choose the ideal degree program.
Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior designer school and program that you choose 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 obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just verify that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Clemmons NC employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.
Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate 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, two or more years of professional experience may be required as well. So in addition to providing an excellent education, the Clemmons NC school you choose should also provide the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for North Carolina or the State where you will be working.
What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some help in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It might also signify that the college has a significant network of Clemmons NC business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Clemmons NC colleges you are looking at and find out what type of aid they offer. A number of interior design schools provide financial aid to their incoming students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships while others provide support in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.
How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Clemmons NC programs you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Clemmons home, visit the college and sit in on a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their credentials are in interior design.
Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior design school you enroll in offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Clemmons NC, make sure that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative as well. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.