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Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Colleges
Once you have selected the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of assessing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the college must be within commuting distance from your Milwaukee WI home. 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 expense for tuition will narrow down your options as well. But choosing the least expensive school or the one that is closest to home are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you need to look at also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a few concerns 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 assess and ultimately select the right degree program.
Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior designer program and school that you enroll in has earned accreditation from 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 receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous assessment of their programs and instructors. Just make sure that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Milwaukee WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.
Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate that interior designers get 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 school. And in some of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required as well. So besides providing an outstanding education, the Milwaukee WI college you choose should also furnish the suitable education 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 Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly want some support in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its graduates are sought after. It may also indicate that the school has a large network of Milwaukee WI business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Milwaukee WI colleges you are looking at and find out what type of support they offer. A number of interior designer colleges offer financial assistance to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide help in obtaining grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.
How Small are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Milwaukee WI programs you are reviewing what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Milwaukee home, go to the school and monitor a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak 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 Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior designer program you choose provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Milwaukee WI, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.