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 Colleges

Once you have decided on the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your college options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the school must be within commuting distance from your Cutler Bay FL home. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will limit your options also. But choosing the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other things that you should look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a few questions that you may want to address with the programs you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others to help you assess and ultimately choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior designer school and program that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding assessment of their instructors and programs. Just make sure 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 confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are excellent, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Cutler Bay Florida employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States calling for licensing, a minimum of 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to furnishing an excellent education, the Cutler Bay FL college you select should also furnish the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet 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 obtained your interior design certification, you will probably need some support in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It could also signify that the college has a large network of Cutler Bay FL business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Contact the financial aid departments for the Cutler Bay FL schools you are looking at and ask what type of assistance they provide. Many of interior design colleges provide financial aid to their incoming students. Some schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Cutler Bay FL schools you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Cutler Bay home, visit the campus and monitor a few 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 Offered that Fit your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design school you enroll in offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Cutler Bay FL, make sure that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.