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Topics to Ask Interior Design Schools
When you have selected the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the college needs to be within driving distance from your Cheyenne WY residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will decrease your choices as well. But picking the least expensive school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a few questions that you may want to address with the schools you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you compare and ultimately choose the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior designer program and college that you enroll in 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). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding assessment of their teachers and programs. Just confirm that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Cheyenne WY employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.
Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to providing an exceptional education, the Cheyenne WY program you choose should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for Wyoming or the State where you will be working.
What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It could also signify that the college has a substantial network of Cheyenne WY business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the Cheyenne WY colleges you are evaluating and find out what type of support they provide. A number of interior designer programs offer financial assistance to their new students. Some schools provide partial scholarships and others provide help in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.
How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Cheyenne WY schools you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Cheyenne home, go to the campus and monitor a few classes. While there talk with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.
Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design college you enroll in offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Cheyenne WY, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.