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Topics to Ask Interior Designer Schools

Once you have chosen the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the school must be within driving distance from your Winter Haven FL home. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will limit your choices also. But selecting the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you need to look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a few questions that you may want to ask the programs you are considering to get those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and subsequently pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the interior designer program and college that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive assessment of their teachers and programs. Just make sure that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Winter Haven Florida employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several 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 program. And in some of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to furnishing an exceptional education, the Winter Haven FL school you choose should also provide the appropriate education 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? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will probably want some support in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It could also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Winter Haven FL business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Winter Haven FL colleges you are reviewing and ask what kind of support they offer. Many of interior designer schools offer financial assistance to their new students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide help in acquiring federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Winter Haven FL colleges you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Winter Haven home, visit the college and sit in on a couple of classes. While there talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior design school you select provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Winter Haven FL, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.