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Topics to Ask Interior Designer Colleges
Now that you have decided on the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the school must be within driving distance from your Kinston NC home. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will decrease your options as well. But picking the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to home are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the schools you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and subsequently select the ideal degree program.
Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to confirm that the interior design school and program that you choose has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding assessment 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 acknowledged accrediting organization. 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 applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Kinston NC employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.
Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, 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) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore aside from providing an outstanding education, the Kinston NC program you select should also furnish the proper training 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 received your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It may also signify that the college has a significant network of Kinston NC business contacts 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 Kinston NC colleges you are evaluating and find out what type of aid they provide. A number of interior designer colleges provide financial aid to their incoming students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in securing federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.
How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Kinston NC colleges you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Kinston home, go to the campus and sit in on a couple of classes. While there talk with a few 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 Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior design school you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Kinston NC, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.