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Topics to Ask Interior Design Programs

After you have selected the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the school must be within driving distance from your Monterey Park CA home. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will narrow down your options as well. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you should consider as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a few concerns that you may want to ask the programs you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior designer school and program that you enroll in has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous assessment 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 acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Monterey Park California employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs 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) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required as well. So in addition to furnishing an exceptional education, the Monterey Park CA program you select should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some help in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It may also indicate that the college has a large network of Monterey Park CA business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Monterey Park CA colleges you are evaluating and find out what kind of assistance they provide. A number of interior designer programs provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Some colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide support in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited school is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately 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 larger, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Monterey Park CA schools you are reviewing what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Monterey Park home, go to the campus and sit in on a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design college you choose provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Monterey Park CA, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.