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What to Ask Interior Designer Schools
When you have chosen the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of assessing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the college has to be within driving distance from your Lexington NC residence. Of course if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will decrease your choices as well. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a few questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and ultimately select the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior design college and program that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just make sure 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 confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Lexington NC employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs 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, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to furnishing an outstanding education, the Lexington NC program you select should also provide the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ examination 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? Once you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly need some support in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It could also signify that the school has a sizable network of Lexington NC business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial aid offices for the Lexington NC schools you are reviewing and find out what type of aid they provide. A number of interior design programs provide financial assistance to their new students. Some colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide assistance in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school 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? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Lexington NC colleges you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Lexington home, visit the college and sit in on a few classes. While there talk 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 Offered that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer program you select offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Lexington NC, verify that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.