IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN CAREER BELOW!
Subjects to Ask Interior Design Programs
Once you have chosen the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can start the task of evaluating your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the college must be within driving distance from your Menomonee Falls WI residence. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will decrease your choices as well. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a few concerns that you may want to ask the colleges you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you compare and ultimately select the ideal degree program.
Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior designer program and college that you select 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). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous assessment of their programs and teachers. Just verify 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 verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Menomonee Falls WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.
Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do mandate 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 program. And in some of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore besides furnishing an outstanding education, the Menomonee Falls WI school you enroll in should also furnish the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ examination 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? After you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will probably want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It could also signify that the college has a sizable network of Menomonee Falls WI business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.
Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Menomonee Falls WI schools you are evaluating and find out what kind of support they provide. Many of interior designer colleges offer financial aid to their incoming students. Various schools offer partial scholarships while others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.
How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Menomonee Falls WI programs you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Menomonee Falls home, go to the college and monitor 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 experiences have been in interior design.
Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior designer program you select offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Menomonee Falls WI, make sure that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.