IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN CAREER BELOW!
Questions to Ask Interior Designer Colleges
After 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 school has to be within driving distance from your Eau Claire WI home. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will narrow down your options as well. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is closest to home are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should look at as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a few concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you compare and subsequently select the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior design school and program that you select has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. 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 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 establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Eau Claire WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.
Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do mandate that interior designers get 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 several of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required as well. Therefore besides furnishing an outstanding education, the Eau Claire WI school you enroll in should also furnish the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.
What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will probably need some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It may also indicate that the school has a significant network of Eau Claire WI business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.
Is Financial Aid Provided? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Eau Claire WI schools you are evaluating and ask what kind of assistance they offer. Many of interior design colleges offer financial aid to their incoming students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.
How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Eau Claire WI colleges you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Eau Claire home, visit the college and sit in on a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few 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 Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior designer program you enroll in provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Eau Claire WI, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.