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Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Now that you have chosen the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of analyzing your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the school must be within commuting distance from your WY home. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will limit your choices also. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to consider as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a few concerns that you may want to ask the colleges you are looking at to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you compare and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior designer school and program that you enroll in has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their programs and teachers. Just verify that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Wyoming employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the College Prepare 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) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States calling for licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. So besides furnishing an excellent education, the  WY school you enroll in should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for Wyoming or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some support in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It may also signify that the college has a substantial network of  WY business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial assistance offices for the  WY schools you are reviewing and find out what kind of aid they offer. A number of interior design colleges offer financial aid to their incoming students. Some colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide help in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the WY colleges you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your home, visit the college and monitor a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak 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 Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design school you choose provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near WY, confirm that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, find out what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.