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Questions to Ask Interior Designer Programs

When you have decided on the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the campus must be within driving distance from your Lancaster CA home. Obviously if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will limit your options also. But choosing the least expensive school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you should look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others to help you compare and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior designer program and school that you choose has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding assessment of their programs and teachers. Just confirm 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 college and the quality of the training are exceptional, it may also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Lancaster California employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do require 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 program. And in several of those States mandating licensing, 2 or more years of work experience may be required as well. So in addition to providing an excellent education, the Lancaster CA college you enroll in should also furnish the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will probably want some support in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It may also indicate that the school has a large network of Lancaster CA business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Lancaster CA colleges you are looking at and find out what type of aid they offer. A number of interior designer programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Some colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in acquiring federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Lancaster CA programs you are looking at what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Lancaster home, visit the campus and monitor 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 styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior design program you enroll in offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Lancaster CA, make sure that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.