<p>Okay, so I have recently been accepted to both Anderson University, and Winthrop University, and was wondering if anyone has had any experience with either college on the subject of interior design. I know that Winthrop is the only college in SC that is CIDA accredited. How big is this when talking about job opportunities? I have heard different things from both professors, however I wanted to see what anyone here thought. Any information (good or bad). Will be a great help, thanks :)</p>
<p>1994swimmer,</p>
<p>I am a professor so I will try to be as impartial as possible. </p>
<p>There are many advantages for attending a CIDA accredited program. Many firms (especially some of the most well respected ones in our area) require that interns and new hires either be currently enrolled in or be graduates of accredited programs. This is their way of ensuring that you have a broad and up-to-date understanding of the profession. There are also industry scholarships and other co-op experiences that are only available to students within these programs. While an accredited degree is not required to take the NCIDQ (our “board” exam), a CIDA accredited program is required to give a deep and comprehensive preparation for the industry, which makes the likelihood of passing the NCIDQ exam better. We are held accountable (and reaccredited often) to the CIDA guidelines. These can be viewed at:</p>
<p>[Professional</a> Standards | CIDA](<a href=“http://accredit-id.org/professional-standards]Professional”>Professional Standards — CIDA) </p>
<p>I encourage you to take a look at the FAQ on the CIDA website for more information:</p>
<p>[FAQs</a> | CIDA](<a href=“http://accredit-id.org/students-parents/faqs/]FAQs”>http://accredit-id.org/students-parents/faqs/) </p>
<p>I hope this is helpful! Please feel free to write me back with any further questions.</p>
<p>Jennifer Blanchard Belk, IIDA, IDEC, LEED AP</p>
<p>Mrs. Belk,</p>
<p>I actually met with you the other day with my family, and we thought of some more questions on te way home. First off, I know Anderson has almost all of their textbooks online as ebooks, I was wondering if this was also the case with Winthrop. Also, are studio classes offered more than once a year, or is it if you fail once, then your done? What design classes are offered your freshman year? I know your freshman classes are mainly general education, but is it only general education, or are some design classes incoreprated into your classes. And one last question, how much are the lab fees? I loved both schools, but I am concerned with the accreditation at Anderson, however was told by one interior designer that she has never been asked about her school being accredited (she went to converse when the school was accredited, but lost it during her four years there.)</p>