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Topics to Ask Interior Designer Schools

After you have decided on the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of assessing your college options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the school has to be within driving distance from your Arcadia CA home. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will decrease your choices also. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you should consider as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you compare and ultimately select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior design program and school that you enroll in has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding assessment 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 recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Arcadia California employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate 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 mandating licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to providing an excellent education, the Arcadia CA program you enroll in should also furnish the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some help in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its graduates are sought after. It could also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Arcadia CA business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Arcadia CA colleges you are reviewing and ask what kind of support they provide. Many of interior design colleges offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Various schools offer partial scholarships while others provide help in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Arcadia CA colleges you are reviewing what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Arcadia home, visit the campus and attend a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few 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 Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer program you enroll in provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Arcadia CA, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.