Interior Design Schools Interior Design Colleges Interior Design Programs Interior Design Classes
Interior Design Courses Interior Design Courses Online Interior Design Schools Online Interior Design Degrees
Interior Design Degrees Online

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Schools

After you have selected the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the campus needs to be within driving distance from your Jurupa Valley CA home. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will narrow down your options as well. But choosing the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you need to consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a list of questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and subsequently select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the interior designer program and college that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding assessment of their programs and teachers. 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are excellent, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Jurupa Valley California employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Jurupa Valley CA college you select should also furnish the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some help in finding your first job. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It could also signify that the school has a sizable network of Jurupa Valley CA business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Jurupa Valley CA colleges you are reviewing and find out what kind of support they provide. A number of interior design schools provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors 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 may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Jurupa Valley CA programs you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Jurupa Valley home, go to the college and attend a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior designer school you enroll in provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Jurupa Valley CA, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.