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Questions to Ask Interior Designer Programs
When you have selected the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the task of assessing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the college must be within driving distance from your Brookfield WI residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending a school online, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will decrease your options also. But picking the most affordable school or the one that is closest to home are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you should look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others in order to help you examine and ultimately choose the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior design program and school that you choose has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just confirm that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Brookfield WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.
Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Brookfield WI school you select should also provide the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.
What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will probably want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It could also indicate that the school has a significant network of Brookfield WI business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial aid departments for the Brookfield WI colleges you are looking at and find out what type of assistance they offer. Many of interior design schools offer financial assistance to their new students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide support in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.
How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate 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 Brookfield WI colleges you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Brookfield home, visit the campus and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.
Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer college you select offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Brookfield WI, make sure that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.