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What to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

After you have decided on the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the school must be within commuting distance from your Port Charlotte 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 options also. But picking the most affordable college 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 look at also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the college. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the colleges you are considering to get those answers as well as others to help you compare and ultimately pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior designer college and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from 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). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive evaluation of their programs and instructors. 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 education are excellent, it might also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Port Charlotte Florida employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States mandating licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Port Charlotte FL school you enroll in should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with 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 earned your interior designer certification, you will probably want some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its graduates are sought after. It may also signify that the college has a large network of Port Charlotte FL business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Port Charlotte FL schools you are evaluating and ask what kind of aid they provide. Many of interior designer schools offer financial assistance to their new students. Various schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in securing federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Port Charlotte FL colleges you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Port Charlotte home, visit the college and monitor a few classes. While there speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design college you select offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Port Charlotte FL, make sure that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.