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What to Ask Interior Designer Colleges
Once you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the campus must be within commuting distance from your Laurinburg NC residence. Of course if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your options also. But choosing the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you should look at as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a few concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others in order to help you examine and subsequently choose the right degree program.
Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior designer program and college that you select 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just confirm 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 verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are excellent, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Laurinburg NC employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.
Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require that interior designers become 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 school. And in several of those States mandating licensing, a minimum of 2 years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore besides furnishing an exceptional education, the Laurinburg NC school you select should also furnish the proper training to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for North Carolina or the State where you will be employed.
What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It could also indicate that the college has a sizable network of Laurinburg NC business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial aid offices for the Laurinburg NC colleges you are evaluating and ask what type of support they offer. Many of interior design schools offer financial aid to their incoming students. Various schools provide partial scholarships and others provide help in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.
How Big are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Laurinburg NC colleges you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Laurinburg home, visit the campus and sit in on a couple of classes. While there speak 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 Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior design college you select provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Laurinburg NC, verify that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.