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Topics to Ask Interior Designer Schools

Now that you have selected the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of reviewing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the school must be within driving distance from your Wellington FL home. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will limit your options as well. But picking the cheapest college or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you need to look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the colleges you are looking at to get those answers as well as others to help you compare and ultimately pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior designer program and school that you choose 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 gone through an extensive evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just verify 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 training are exceptional, it may also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Wellington Florida employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do mandate that interior designers become 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 college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an exceptional education, the Wellington FL school you select should also provide the proper training to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum licensing requirements for Florida or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It may also indicate that the school has a sizable network of Wellington FL business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Wellington FL colleges you are reviewing and find out what type of support they offer. Many of interior design schools offer financial aid to their new students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide help in obtaining grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Wellington FL programs you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Wellington home, go to the college and attend a few classes. While there speak with a few 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 Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior design college you enroll in offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Wellington FL, make sure that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.