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Topics to Ask Interior Design Schools

Once you have chosen the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the school must be within commuting distance from your Enfield CT residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will narrow down your choices also. But selecting the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the schools you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others to help you assess and ultimately select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's essential to confirm that the interior designer program and college that you enroll in has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive evaluation 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 recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Enfield Connecticut employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do mandate that interior designers get 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 program. And in some of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore besides furnishing an exceptional education, the Enfield CT program you enroll in should also provide the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Connecticut or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some support in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It might also signify that the college has a sizable network of Enfield CT business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Enfield CT colleges you are evaluating and find out what type of assistance they provide. Many of interior design schools provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide support in obtaining federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Enfield CT colleges you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Enfield home, go to the college and attend a couple of classes. While there talk with a few 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 Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design college you enroll in provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Enfield CT, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.