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What to Ask Interior Designer Programs
After you have selected the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the school must be within commuting distance from your Hartford WI residence. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will limit your options also. But choosing the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a few questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others to help you compare and subsequently pick the ideal degree program.
Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior design college and program that you enroll in has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just make sure that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it might also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Hartford WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.
Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States mandating licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Hartford WI college you enroll in should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.
What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are reviewing 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 school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It may also signify that the college has a significant network of Hartford WI business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial aid departments for the Hartford WI colleges you are looking at and ask what kind of support they offer. A number of interior design programs offer financial aid to their new students. Various schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.
How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Hartford WI schools you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Hartford home, go to the campus and sit in on a couple of 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 choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Hartford WI, confirm that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an option also. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.