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What to Ask Interior Designer Programs
Once you have decided on the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of evaluating your school options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the college needs to be within driving distance from your Matthews NC residence. Naturally if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will limit your choices as well. But selecting the least expensive school 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 also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below are a few questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you examine and ultimately pick the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior design school 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). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding assessment of their programs and teachers. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program 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 exceptional, it might also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many Matthews 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 require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required as well. So in addition to providing an excellent education, the Matthews NC school you enroll in should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for North Carolina or the State where you will be working.
What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will probably need some help in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It may also indicate that the school has a sizable network of Matthews NC business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Matthews NC schools you are looking at and find out what type of support they provide. A number of interior designer programs provide financial aid to their incoming students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.
How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Matthews NC programs you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Matthews home, visit the school and attend 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 philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.
Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior designer school you enroll in provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Matthews NC, make sure that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.