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Questions to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Once you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of assessing your college options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the campus must be within commuting distance from your New Britain CT residence. Naturally if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will decrease your choices also. But selecting the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a few questions that you may want to address with the schools you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you compare and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's necessary to confirm that the interior designer program and school that you select has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their teachers and programs. Just verify 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 verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are exceptional, it might also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many New Britain Connecticut employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do mandate that interior designers get 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 school. And in several of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an exceptional education, the New Britain CT program you select should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum licensing requirements 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 assistance in finding your first position. Ask the programs 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 an excellent indication that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It may also signify that the college has a substantial network of New Britain CT business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial aid departments for the New Britain CT schools you are evaluating and ask what kind of support they provide. Many of interior design schools offer financial assistance to their new students. Various schools provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the New Britain CT schools you are looking at what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your New Britain home, go to the campus and monitor a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior designer college you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near New Britain CT, make sure that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.