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What to Ask Interior Design Schools
Once you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the college needs to be within driving distance from your Waunakee WI residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will narrow down your options as well. But picking the cheapest college or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you should look at as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the programs you are considering to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and subsequently pick the right degree program.
Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's necessary to confirm that the interior designer school and program that you select has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous 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 organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Waunakee WI employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.
Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Waunakee WI program you select should also furnish the proper training to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum requirements for licensing 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 support in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It might also signify that the school has a significant network of Waunakee WI business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.
Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Waunakee WI schools you are looking at and ask what kind of support they provide. A number of interior design programs offer financial aid to their new students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide help in obtaining grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive 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 large, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Waunakee WI programs you are looking at what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Waunakee home, visit the campus and attend a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.
Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior designer college you select offers classes the fit your hectic 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 Waunakee WI, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.