IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN CAREER BELOW!
Questions to Ask Interior Designer Colleges
After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the campus must be within driving distance from your Sheboygan WI residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will limit your options also. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is closest to home are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a few concerns 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 assess and subsequently pick the right degree program.
Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's essential to confirm that the interior designer program and school that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just verify that both the college and the degree program 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 may also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Sheboygan WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.
Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of work experience may be required also. Therefore aside from providing an excellent education, the Sheboygan WI program you enroll in should also furnish the proper education to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.
What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some support in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It might also signify that the school has a significant network of Sheboygan WI business connections where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after graduation.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Sheboygan WI schools you are looking at and ask what type of assistance they provide. A number of interior design colleges provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide support in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.
How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Sheboygan WI colleges you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Sheboygan home, visit the campus and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.
Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior design college you choose offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Sheboygan WI, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.