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Topics to Ask Interior Design Colleges

After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of evaluating your school options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the campus has to be within driving distance from your Coral Gables FL residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But selecting the least expensive college or the one that is closest to your house are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to look at as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below are a few questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and subsequently select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's important 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 industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just confirm that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are exceptional, it may also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Coral Gables Florida employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the Program Ready 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) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Coral Gables FL school you choose should also furnish the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for Florida or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will probably need some support in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its graduates are sought after. It might also indicate that the college has a significant network of Coral Gables FL business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Coral Gables FL schools you are looking at and ask what type of assistance they offer. Many of interior designer colleges offer financial aid to their incoming students. Various schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Coral Gables FL schools you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Coral Gables home, go to the campus and attend a couple of classes. While there talk with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior designer school you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Coral Gables FL, make sure that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.