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Interior Design Degrees Online

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Schools

Now that you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of assessing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the school has to be within commuting distance from your Fairbanks AK residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your options as well. But selecting the least expensive college or the one that is closest to home are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you need to consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a few concerns that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others to help you assess and subsequently choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to confirm that the interior design school and program that you choose has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation of their programs and instructors. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are exceptional, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Fairbanks Alaska employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require 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 calling for licensing, a minimum of 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. So in addition to providing an exceptional education, the Fairbanks AK college you select should also furnish the proper education to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for Alaska or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It may also indicate that the school has a significant network of Fairbanks AK business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid departments for the Fairbanks AK schools you are looking at and find out what kind of support they provide. A number of interior design schools provide financial assistance to their new students. Various schools offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Fairbanks AK colleges you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Fairbanks home, go to the campus and monitor a couple of classes. While there talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior designer program you enroll in provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Fairbanks AK, make sure that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.