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Questions to Ask Interior Designer Schools

After you have decided on the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the campus needs to be within driving distance from your West Hartford CT home. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will narrow down your choices also. But selecting the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your house are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you should consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a few concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and subsequently pick the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior design school and program that you select has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous 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 organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many West Hartford Connecticut employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. So in addition to furnishing an exceptional education, the West Hartford CT program you select should also furnish the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum licensing requirements for Connecticut or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some support in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It may also signify that the school has a substantial network of West Hartford CT business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the West Hartford CT colleges you are evaluating and ask what type of assistance they provide. A number of interior designer schools offer financial assistance to their new students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide support in obtaining federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the West Hartford CT schools you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your West Hartford home, go to the college and sit in on a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer program you select provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near West Hartford CT, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.