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What to Ask Interior Design Programs
Once you have decided on the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of assessing your school options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the campus must be within commuting distance from your Stevens Point WI home. Naturally if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will narrow down your choices also. But picking the most affordable school or the one that is closest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to look at also, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the programs you are looking at to get those answers as well as others in order to help you examine and ultimately choose the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior design program and school that you select has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their programs and instructors. Just confirm 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 verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Stevens Point WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.
Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an exceptional education, the Stevens Point WI college you select should also provide the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill 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 received your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some help in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It could also indicate that the school has a large network of Stevens Point WI business connections where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.
Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial aid departments for the Stevens Point WI colleges you are evaluating and find out what kind of support they offer. A number of interior design programs offer financial assistance to their new students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide support in obtaining federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.
How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Stevens Point WI programs you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Stevens Point home, go to the campus and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their credentials are in interior design.
Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior design college you choose provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Stevens Point WI, verify that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.