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What to Ask Interior Designer Programs

When you have selected the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of reviewing your college options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your West Palm Beach FL residence. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will narrow down your choices also. But choosing the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you should consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are looking at to get those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and subsequently select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior designer program and college that you select has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive assessment of their teachers 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 college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of West Palm Beach Florida employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required as well. So besides furnishing an excellent education, the West Palm Beach FL program you choose should also provide the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet 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 obtained your interior designer certification, you will probably want some help in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It may also signify that the school has a significant network of West Palm Beach FL business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the West Palm Beach FL schools you are looking at and ask what kind of aid they provide. A number of interior designer colleges offer financial assistance to their new students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the West Palm Beach FL colleges you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your West Palm Beach home, go to the campus and sit in on a couple of classes. While there talk with some 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 Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer school you choose provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near West Palm Beach FL, confirm that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.