Charleston Huntington Morgantown Parkersburg


 

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Once you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of assessing your college options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the college has to be within commuting distance from your WV residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will limit your choices also. But picking the cheapest school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you should look at 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 schools you are looking at to obtain those answers as well as others to help you examine and ultimately select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the interior design college and program that you select 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 obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just verify 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of West Virginia employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, 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 college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to furnishing an outstanding education, the  WV college you enroll in should also furnish the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for West Virginia or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need 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 sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It could also indicate that the school has a substantial network of  WV business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the  WV schools you are reviewing and ask what type of aid they provide. Many of interior designer schools offer financial assistance to their new students. Various schools provide partial scholarships and others provide assistance in obtaining grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the WV colleges you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your home, go to the school and attend a few 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 credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer school you enroll in provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near WV, make certain that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.