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What to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Now that you have chosen the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the task of evaluating your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the campus needs to be within driving distance from your Castro Valley CA home. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will narrow down your options also. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to look at as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a few questions that you may want to address with the colleges you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior design program and college that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding evaluation 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 training are outstanding, it might also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Castro Valley California employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to furnishing an exceptional education, the Castro Valley CA school you enroll in should also furnish the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It could also signify that the school has a substantial network of Castro Valley CA business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the Castro Valley CA schools you are reviewing and find out what kind of support they provide. A number of interior designer schools provide financial assistance to their new students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Castro Valley CA schools you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Castro Valley home, visit the college and sit in on 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 experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior design school you choose provides 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 at night or on weekends near Castro Valley CA, confirm 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, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.