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Questions to Ask Interior Design Programs

After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the campus needs to be within commuting distance from your Lynwood CA home. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will limit your choices also. But choosing the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your house are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the program. Below are a few concerns that you may want to ask the colleges you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior design program and school that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous assessment of their programs and instructors. Just confirm 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 college and the quality of the education are excellent, it might also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Lynwood California employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do mandate 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 college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. So besides furnishing an excellent education, the Lynwood CA school you enroll in should also furnish the suitable instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will probably want some support in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement 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 held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It may also indicate that the college has a large network of Lynwood CA business connections where they can place students to secure internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Lynwood CA colleges you are evaluating and ask what type of assistance they provide. A number of interior designer programs provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide help in securing federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Lynwood CA colleges you are considering what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Lynwood home, visit the campus and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design program you enroll in offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Lynwood CA, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.