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Questions to Ask Interior Design Schools
When you have chosen the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of evaluating your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the college needs to be within driving distance from your Leland NC home. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will limit your options also. But selecting the cheapest school or the one that is nearest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to look at also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a few questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others to help you examine and subsequently pick the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior design college and program that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding assessment of their instructors and programs. Just make sure 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 confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are excellent, it might also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Leland NC employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.
Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required as well. So besides providing an exceptional education, the Leland 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 College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will probably want some help in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It may also indicate that the college has a significant network of Leland NC business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the Leland NC colleges you are evaluating and find out what type of assistance they provide. A number of interior design schools provide financial assistance to their new students. Certain colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide help in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.
How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Leland NC colleges you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Leland home, visit the college and sit in on a couple of classes. While there speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.
Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior design college you choose offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Leland NC, confirm that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.