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Questions to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Once you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the college must be within commuting distance from your Land O Lakes FL home. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will decrease your options as well. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your house are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a few concerns that you may want to ask the programs you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others to help you compare and subsequently select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior designer college and program that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive 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 agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are exceptional, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Land O Lakes Florida employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from providing an exceptional education, the Land O Lakes FL program you choose should also furnish the proper training to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Florida or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some help 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 an excellent sign that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It may also signify that the college has a significant network of Land O Lakes FL business connections where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Land O Lakes FL colleges you are looking at and find out what type of aid they offer. Many of interior design schools offer financial aid to their incoming students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide help in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? 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 Land O Lakes FL programs you are looking at what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Land O Lakes home, go to the campus and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior designer school you enroll in offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Land O Lakes FL, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an alternative as well. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.