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Questions to Ask Interior Design Programs

After you have selected 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, particularly if the school must be within driving distance from your Bristol CT home. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will narrow down your options also. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you should consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are considering to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and ultimately pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior design program and college that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a regional or national organization. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding assessment of their instructors and programs. Just make sure 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many Bristol Connecticut employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do require that interior designers become 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 school. And in several of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from furnishing an outstanding education, the Bristol CT school you enroll in should also furnish the proper training to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for Connecticut or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will probably want some support in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It might also signify that the college has a significant network of Bristol CT business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Bristol CT colleges you are looking at and find out what type of assistance they offer. A number of interior designer colleges provide financial aid to their new students. Certain colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide help in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Bristol CT colleges you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Bristol home, go to the school 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 experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior design college you enroll in provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Bristol CT, verify that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option also. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.