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What to Ask Interior Designer Schools

After you have decided on the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the college must be within commuting distance from your Plant City FL home. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will narrow down your choices also. But selecting the least expensive school or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a few questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and ultimately pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior design school and program 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 receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive evaluation 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 acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it may also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many Plant City Florida employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require 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 requiring licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required as well. So besides providing an excellent education, the Plant City FL program you select should also furnish the proper instruction 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? Once you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It may also signify that the school has a sizable network of Plant City FL business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Plant City FL colleges you are evaluating and ask what type of aid they offer. Many of interior designer schools offer financial assistance to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships and others provide help in securing grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Plant City FL programs you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Plant City home, visit the college and sit in on a couple of classes. While there talk with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior design school you choose provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Plant City FL, confirm that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.