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What to Ask Interior Design Schools
After you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the campus has to be within driving distance from your Weston WI residence. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will limit your choices also. But selecting the cheapest school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other things that you should look at as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a few questions that you may want to ask the schools you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others to help you examine and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.
Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior designer program and school that you choose has been accredited by 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). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just confirm that both the degree program and the college 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 may also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Weston WI employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.
Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. So in addition to furnishing an outstanding education, the Weston WI college you choose should also furnish the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be working.
What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will probably want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It might also indicate that the school has a significant network of Weston WI business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.
Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Weston WI colleges you are evaluating and find out what kind of aid they offer. A number of interior design colleges offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Some schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.
How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Weston WI programs you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Weston home, go to the school and monitor 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 backgrounds are in interior design.
Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior designer college you choose offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Weston WI, confirm that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.