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Questions to Ask Interior Design Colleges
Once you have selected the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of evaluating your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the college needs to be within driving distance from your Goldsboro NC residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will decrease your choices also. But picking the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you should consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a few questions that you may want to ask the schools you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you compare and ultimately choose the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior design school and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just confirm that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Goldsboro NC employers will only employ 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 get 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 some of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. So aside from providing an outstanding education, the Goldsboro NC school you choose should also provide the proper education to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum requirements for licensing for North Carolina or the State where you will be working.
What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly need some support in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It could also indicate that the school has a significant network of Goldsboro NC business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.
Is Financial Aid Provided? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Goldsboro NC schools you are looking at and ask what kind of support they provide. Many of interior design programs offer financial assistance to their new students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.
How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Goldsboro NC programs you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Goldsboro home, go to the school and monitor a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.
Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior design school you select offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Goldsboro NC, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.