IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN CAREER BELOW!
What to Ask Interior Designer Colleges
Now that you have chosen the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the campus must be within driving distance from your New Bern NC home. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will narrow down your options as well. But selecting the least expensive school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the college. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the colleges you are considering to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and ultimately select the ideal degree program.
Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior design college and program that you select has been accredited by 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). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their instructors and programs. Just verify that both the college and the degree program 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 requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of New Bern NC employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.
Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do mandate that interior designers get 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 some of those States calling for licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required also. Therefore aside from furnishing an outstanding education, the New Bern NC school you select should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for North Carolina or the State where you will be working.
What is the College'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 considering if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It could also indicate that the college has a substantial network of New Bern NC business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.
Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the New Bern NC colleges you are looking at and find out what kind of aid they provide. A number of interior designer colleges provide financial aid to their incoming students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.
How Small are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the New Bern NC schools you are looking at what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your New Bern home, go to the campus and monitor a couple of classes. While there talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.
Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior design program you enroll in offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near New Bern NC, make certain that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.