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Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

After you have chosen the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the college must be within commuting distance from your Vestavia Hills AL residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will limit your options as well. But selecting the cheapest school or the one that is closest to home are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the colleges you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and subsequently choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior designer college and program that you choose has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive assessment of their instructors and programs. Just confirm that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Vestavia Hills Alabama employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate 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 work experience may be required also. So in addition to furnishing an exceptional education, the Vestavia Hills AL college you choose should also provide the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for Alabama or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will probably need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It may also indicate that the school has a substantial network of Vestavia Hills AL business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Vestavia Hills AL schools you are looking at and ask what kind of support they offer. A number of interior design colleges provide financial assistance to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in acquiring grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Vestavia Hills AL colleges you are looking at what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Vestavia Hills home, go to the school and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk 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 Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design college you choose offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Vestavia Hills AL, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.