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Topics to Ask Interior Designer Programs

When you have decided on the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the campus has to be within driving distance from your Apple Valley CA residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will limit your choices also. But selecting the least expensive college or the one that is closest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you need to look at also, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a few questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and ultimately choose the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the interior design school and program that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous 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 organization. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Apple Valley California employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do require that interior designers become 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 mandating licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore aside from furnishing an exceptional education, the Apple Valley CA school you enroll in should also furnish the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some support in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It could also indicate that the college has a large network of Apple Valley CA business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial aid offices for the Apple Valley CA schools you are looking at and ask what type of aid they offer. Many of interior design schools provide financial assistance to their new students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Apple Valley CA programs you are reviewing what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Apple Valley home, go to the school and sit in on a couple of classes. While there speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior design program you select 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 in the evening or on weekends near Apple Valley CA, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.