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What to Ask Interior Designer Programs

After you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of assessing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the college has to be within driving distance from your Fort Lauderdale FL home. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will narrow down your choices also. But selecting the most affordable school or the one that is closest to home are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you should consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are considering to get those answers as well as others in order to help you compare and subsequently select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the interior designer program and college 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). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding assessment of their instructors and programs. Just confirm that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Fort Lauderdale Florida employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the Program Prep 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 school. And in several of those States calling for licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from providing an excellent education, the Fort Lauderdale FL school you choose should also provide the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for Florida or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will probably want some support in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It may also indicate that the college has a sizable network of Fort Lauderdale FL business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Fort Lauderdale FL schools you are evaluating and ask what kind of assistance they offer. A number of interior designer schools provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in obtaining federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Fort Lauderdale FL programs you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Fort Lauderdale home, go to the school and sit in on a couple of classes. While there speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior designer school you enroll in provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Fort Lauderdale FL, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.