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Questions to Ask Interior Designer Schools

When you have decided on the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of evaluating your school options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your Middletown CT residence. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will limit your options as well. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is closest to your house are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a few questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and ultimately select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior designer college and program that you choose has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their programs and teachers. Just make sure 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 verify that the reputation of the school 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, a number of Middletown Connecticut employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs 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 require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of work experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to furnishing an outstanding education, the Middletown CT college you choose should also provide the appropriate training to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for Connecticut or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some help in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It might also signify that the school has a substantial network of Middletown CT business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Middletown CT colleges you are looking at and ask what kind of support they provide. A number of interior design colleges offer financial aid to their new students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide assistance in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Middletown CT schools you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Middletown home, go to the school and sit in on a few 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 credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer college you choose offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Middletown CT, make sure that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.