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Questions to Ask Interior Designer Schools
After you have chosen the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of evaluating your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the school has to be within commuting distance from your Raleigh NC home. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But selecting the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you should consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the schools you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others to help you examine and subsequently pick the ideal degree program.
Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior design program and school that you enroll in 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 undergone a rigorous assessment of their programs and teachers. Just verify 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 confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Raleigh NC employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools 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 require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore aside from providing an excellent education, the Raleigh NC program you enroll in should also provide the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum licensing requirements for North Carolina or the State where you will be employed.
What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing 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 highly esteemed within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It might also indicate that the school has a substantial network of Raleigh NC business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.
Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Raleigh NC schools you are evaluating and ask what kind of assistance they provide. A number of interior designer programs provide financial assistance to their new students. Some schools offer partial scholarships while others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.
How Large are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Raleigh NC colleges you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Raleigh home, go to the college and sit in on a couple of classes. While there talk with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their credentials are in interior design.
Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer school you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Raleigh NC, confirm that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.