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Topics to Ask Interior Design Colleges
Once you have selected the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your school options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the college must be within commuting distance from your Burlington VT home. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will decrease your options as well. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others to help you compare and subsequently pick the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to confirm that the interior design program and college that you enroll in has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous assessment of their programs and instructors. Just make sure 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Burlington VT employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.
Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require that interior designers become 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 college. And in some of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required also. So besides providing an excellent education, the Burlington VT college you enroll in should also provide the proper training to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for Vermont or the State where you will be employed.
What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will probably want some help in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If so, 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 esteem within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It could also signify that the college has a sizable network of Burlington VT business connections where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.
Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Burlington VT schools you are evaluating and ask what type of aid they offer. Many of interior design programs provide financial aid to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide help in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.
How Large are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Burlington VT schools you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Burlington home, go to the college and attend a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.
Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior designer program you select offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Burlington VT, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.