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Topics to Ask Interior Designer Schools
Once you have selected the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of evaluating your college options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the college has to be within commuting distance from your Stallings NC residence. Naturally if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will limit your choices as well. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you should consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a few questions that you may want to address with the schools you are looking at to get those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and ultimately pick the ideal degree program.
Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's essential to confirm that the interior design program and college that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous evaluation of their programs and instructors. Just make sure 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 school and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Stallings NC employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.
Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from providing an excellent education, the Stallings NC college you enroll in should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet 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 obtained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some support in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design profession and its graduates are sought after. It may also signify that the school has a sizable network of Stallings NC business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Stallings NC schools you are looking at and find out what type of aid they offer. A number of interior designer schools offer financial aid to their new students. Certain colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide help in acquiring federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.
How Big are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Stallings NC programs you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Stallings home, visit the school and sit in on a few classes. While there speak with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their credentials are in interior design.
Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior design school you enroll in provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Stallings NC, make certain that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.