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Topics to Ask Interior Design Schools

Now that you have decided on the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of evaluating your college options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the school needs to be within commuting distance from your Coconut Creek FL home. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will decrease your options also. But choosing the cheapest school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you need to look at as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a few concerns that you may want to ask the programs you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and ultimately pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior designer college and program that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding assessment of their programs and teachers. Just confirm 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 establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many Coconut Creek Florida employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate that interior designers become 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 college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore besides furnishing an outstanding education, the Coconut Creek FL college you select should also provide the appropriate training to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for Florida or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It could also signify that the school has a sizable network of Coconut Creek FL business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Coconut Creek FL schools you are evaluating and find out what type of assistance they provide. A number of interior design programs provide financial aid to their new students. Various schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Coconut Creek FL schools you are reviewing what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Coconut Creek home, visit the college and attend a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior designer program you enroll in provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Coconut Creek FL, verify that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.