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What to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

After you have chosen the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the campus needs to be within driving distance from your La Verne CA residence. Of course if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your options as well. But selecting the cheapest college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you should look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and ultimately choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior design program and school that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a regional or national 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 gone through an extensive evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just verify that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are exceptional, it might also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many La Verne California employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do mandate that interior designers become 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 college. And in some of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required also. Therefore in addition to providing an excellent education, the La Verne CA program you enroll in should also provide the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will probably need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It might also indicate that the school has a large network of La Verne CA business relationships where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial assistance departments for the La Verne CA schools you are looking at and find out what kind of aid they provide. Many of interior designer schools provide financial assistance to their new students. Certain schools provide 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 important for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the La Verne CA programs you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your La Verne home, visit the campus and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few 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? Last, verify that the interior design school you enroll in offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near La Verne CA, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you 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, family or illness.