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Subjects to Ask Interior Design Colleges
After you have selected the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the college must be within commuting distance from your Murraysville NC residence. Naturally if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will narrow down your options also. But picking the most affordable school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you need to look at also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the colleges you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and subsequently select the ideal degree program.
Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior design school and program that you select has earned accreditation from 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 rigorous 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 agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Murraysville NC employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.
Does the Program Prep 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 in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore aside from furnishing an exceptional education, the Murraysville NC college you select should also furnish the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for North Carolina or the State where you will be employed.
What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some support in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It may also indicate that the college has a sizable network of Murraysville NC business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.
Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial aid departments for the Murraysville NC schools you are looking at and ask what kind of support they offer. Many of interior design programs provide financial aid to their new students. Some schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.
How Big are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Murraysville NC colleges you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Murraysville home, go to the college and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their credentials are in interior design.
Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior designer program you enroll in offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Murraysville NC, make sure that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.