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Questions to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Once you have chosen the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the campus must be within driving distance from your Navarre FL residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will decrease your choices as well. But picking the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the schools you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you examine and subsequently choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the interior designer program and school that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding assessment of their instructors and programs. Just confirm that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Navarre Florida employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. So aside from providing an outstanding education, the Navarre FL school you choose should also furnish the proper training to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for Florida or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It might also indicate that the school has a large network of Navarre FL business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Navarre FL schools you are looking at and ask what kind of support they provide. Many of interior designer schools provide financial assistance to their new students. Various schools provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in obtaining federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Navarre FL programs you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Navarre home, go to the school and monitor 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 backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior designer college you choose provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Navarre FL, verify that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.