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Questions to Ask Interior Designer Programs

When you have selected the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your West Allis WI residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will limit your options also. But choosing the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to home are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other things that you should look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a few questions that you may want to address with the programs you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others to help you examine and ultimately choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior designer college and program that you choose has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their teachers and programs. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are exceptional, it might also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of West Allis Wisconsin employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to providing an exceptional education, the West Allis WI college you enroll in should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum licensing requirements for Wisconsin or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It may also indicate that the college has a significant network of West Allis WI business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial aid offices for the West Allis WI schools you are evaluating and find out what kind of aid they provide. Many of interior design schools offer financial aid to their new students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in acquiring grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more personal 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 West Allis WI colleges you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your West Allis home, visit the college and attend a few classes. While there speak with some students and find out 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 Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior designer school you enroll in offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near West Allis WI, make certain that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.