IT TAKES JUST A FEW MINUTES TO START YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN CAREER BELOW!
Questions to Ask Interior Design Programs
After you have decided on the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the campus must be within commuting distance from your Sun Prairie WI residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will narrow down your choices also. But selecting the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you should look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a few questions that you may want to address with the schools you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others in order to help you compare and subsequently pick the right degree program.
Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior design program and college that you choose has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. 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 teachers and programs. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are outstanding, it may also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Sun Prairie WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.
Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate that interior designers get 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 school. And in several of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore besides providing an outstanding education, the Sun Prairie WI school you choose should also provide the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.
What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will probably want some support in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent sign that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It may also signify that the school has a substantial network of Sun Prairie WI business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Sun Prairie WI colleges you are evaluating and find out what type of assistance they provide. Many of interior designer programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Various schools provide partial scholarships and others provide help in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.
How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Sun Prairie WI colleges you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Sun Prairie home, go to the campus and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and find out 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 Fit your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design program you choose provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Sun Prairie WI, make certain that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an alternative as well. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.