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Questions to Ask Interior Design Programs
When you have decided on the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your Plover WI home. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other things that you need to look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the schools you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others to help you examine and subsequently choose the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior designer program and school that you select has earned accreditation from either a regional or national organization. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just verify that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Plover WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.
Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, 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 as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required as well. So besides furnishing an excellent education, the Plover WI program you choose should also provide the proper training to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.
What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It might also signify that the college has a large network of Plover WI business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Plover WI schools you are reviewing and find out what kind of support they offer. A number of interior designer programs offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Some schools offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in obtaining 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 ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.
How Large are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Plover WI schools you are considering what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Plover home, visit the school and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.
Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design program you choose offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Plover WI, confirm that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.