Interior Design Schools Interior Design Colleges Interior Design Programs Interior Design Classes
Interior Design Courses Interior Design Courses Online Interior Design Schools Online Interior Design Degrees
Interior Design Degrees Online

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Schools

Once you have decided on the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the school must be within driving distance from your Wilmington DE home. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will decrease your options also. But picking the cheapest school or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should look at also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and ultimately select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's essential to confirm that the interior designer program and college that you select 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 receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just make sure that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many Wilmington Delaware employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require 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 college. And in some of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from furnishing an outstanding education, the Wilmington DE college you select should also furnish the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Delaware or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly want some help in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It could also signify that the college has a large network of Wilmington DE business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Wilmington DE schools you are reviewing and find out what kind of support they offer. A number of interior design colleges offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Various schools offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Wilmington DE colleges you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Wilmington home, go to the college and attend a few classes. While there talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer school you select offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Wilmington DE, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.