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What to Ask Interior Design Schools
Now that you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the college must be within driving distance from your Spring Lake NC residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will decrease your options also. But picking the least expensive school or the one that is closest to home are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you should consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a few questions that you may want to ask the programs you are looking at to get those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and ultimately choose the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior design program and college that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just confirm that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Spring Lake NC employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.
Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required also. So aside from providing an outstanding education, the Spring Lake NC program you select should also furnish the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for North Carolina or the State where you will be employed.
What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will probably want some support in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It might also signify that the school has a large network of Spring Lake NC business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.
Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Spring Lake NC schools you are evaluating and find out what type of assistance they provide. A number of interior design colleges offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Some schools provide partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.
How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Spring Lake NC schools you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Spring Lake home, visit the college and sit in on a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.
Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer school you select offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Spring Lake NC, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.