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

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Once you have chosen the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of evaluating your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the school must be within driving distance from your Lodi CA residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will narrow down your options also. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other things that you should consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a few questions that you may want to ask the schools you are considering to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior designer program and college that you select has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just confirm that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Lodi California employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require that interior designers get 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 program. And in several of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore aside from providing an excellent education, the Lodi CA college you enroll in should also furnish the appropriate training to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent sign 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 college has a sizable network of Lodi CA business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Lodi CA colleges you are reviewing and find out what kind of assistance they offer. Many of interior designer schools provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Some colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide assistance in securing grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Lodi CA schools you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Lodi home, visit the campus and sit in on a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior design program you select offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Lodi CA, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.