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Topics to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Once you have decided on the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of assessing your college options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the school must be within commuting distance from your Sunrise FL home. Obviously if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will limit your choices also. But selecting the least expensive school or the one that is closest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to look at as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior design program and school that you enroll in 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). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just make sure that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when requesting financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Sunrise Florida employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require 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 college. And in several of those States calling for licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required also. Therefore aside from providing an exceptional education, the Sunrise FL college you choose should also provide the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for Florida or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly need some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job placement 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 students are in demand. It may also indicate that the school has a substantial network of Sunrise FL business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Sunrise FL schools you are looking at and find out what type of support they offer. A number of interior design programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Sunrise FL schools you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Sunrise home, visit the campus and monitor a couple of classes. While there talk with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior design program you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Sunrise FL, make sure that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option also. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.