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What to Ask Interior Design Schools
Once you have chosen the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the school has to be within commuting distance from your Mount Pleasant WI residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But choosing the least expensive school or the one that is closest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you need to look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the college. Below are a few questions that you may want to address with the schools you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and ultimately pick the right degree program.
Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's necessary to confirm that the interior design program and school that you select has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding assessment of their programs and teachers. 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 verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are exceptional, it might also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Mount Pleasant WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.
Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, 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 program. And in some of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Mount Pleasant WI college you select should also provide the appropriate training to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.
What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly want some support in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It may also indicate that the school has a significant network of Mount Pleasant WI business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.
Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Mount Pleasant WI colleges you are looking at and find out what type of assistance they offer. Many of interior design colleges provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide help in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.
How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Mount Pleasant WI programs you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Mount Pleasant home, go to the school and attend a few classes. While there talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.
Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer program you choose provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Mount Pleasant WI, make sure that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.