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What to Ask Interior Designer Schools

After you have decided on the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of assessing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the campus needs to be within driving distance from your Gilroy CA home. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your options also. But selecting the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you need to look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are looking at to obtain those answers as well as others to help you examine and subsequently choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's imperative to confirm that the interior designer college and program that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a demanding assessment of their teachers and programs. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Gilroy California employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States mandating licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required also. So besides furnishing an outstanding education, the Gilroy CA school you choose should also provide the proper education to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with 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 obtained your interior design certification, you will probably want some help in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It could also signify that the school has a sizable network of Gilroy CA business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Gilroy CA schools you are evaluating and ask what type of aid they offer. Many of interior designer colleges offer financial aid to their incoming students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide help in securing federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Gilroy CA colleges you are reviewing what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Gilroy home, visit the campus and sit in on a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior design college you select provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Gilroy CA, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.