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Questions to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Once you have chosen the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the campus has to be within driving distance from your Country Club FL residence. 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 fee for tuition will narrow down your options as well. But selecting the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to home are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you need to look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a few questions 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 ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior designer program and school that you enroll in has been accredited by 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 obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation of their programs and instructors. Just verify that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it may also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Country Club Florida employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the Program Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States calling for licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required as well. So besides providing an exceptional education, the Country Club FL college you choose should also provide the proper training 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 College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It might also signify that the college has a large network of Country Club FL business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Country Club FL colleges you are looking at and ask what type of aid they provide. Many of interior design schools offer financial aid to their new students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Country Club FL schools you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Country Club home, go to the campus and sit in on a couple of classes. While there talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior designer school you enroll in offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Country Club FL, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.