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What to Ask Interior Design Programs

Now that you have selected the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the campus must be within driving distance from your Boca Raton FL residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will decrease your options as well. But choosing the least expensive school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you need to look at also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the colleges you are considering to get those answers as well as others to help you examine and subsequently pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's necessary to confirm that the interior designer school and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous evaluation 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are excellent, it might also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Boca Raton Florida employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States requiring licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to providing an excellent education, the Boca Raton FL school you enroll in should also provide the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum requirements for licensing for Florida or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will probably need some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It might also indicate that the school has a large network of Boca Raton FL business connections where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Boca Raton FL schools you are looking at and ask what kind of support they provide. A number of interior designer colleges provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Boca Raton FL programs you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Boca Raton home, visit the campus and sit in on a few classes. While there talk with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior design college you choose offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Boca Raton FL, make certain that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.