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Questions to Ask Interior Designer Schools

When you have decided on the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of reviewing your college options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the school needs to be within commuting distance from your Miami Gardens FL home. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will decrease your choices also. But choosing the least expensive school or the one that is closest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you need to look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others in order 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 design college and program that you select has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous 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 acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it might also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Miami Gardens Florida employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do mandate that interior designers become 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 some of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required also. So aside from providing an excellent education, the Miami Gardens FL school you choose should also provide the suitable 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 School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will probably want some help in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It could also indicate that the school has a substantial network of Miami Gardens FL business connections where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Miami Gardens FL colleges you are looking at and find out what type of support they provide. A number of interior designer schools provide financial aid to their new students. Some schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they provide 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. Ask the Miami Gardens FL schools you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Miami Gardens home, go to the campus and sit in on a few classes. While there 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 Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer college you enroll in provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Miami Gardens FL, make certain that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.