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Topics to Ask Interior Design Programs

After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the college must be within commuting distance from your Newport Beach CA home. Naturally if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will narrow down your options as well. But selecting the cheapest college or the one that is closest to home are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you need to look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the colleges you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you compare and subsequently choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's necessary to confirm that the interior designer school and program that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving 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 recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify 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 accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Newport Beach California employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore aside from providing an excellent education, the Newport Beach CA school you enroll in should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ examination and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It could also indicate that the school has a substantial network of Newport Beach CA business connections where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the Newport Beach CA schools you are looking at and find out what kind of assistance they provide. Many of interior design schools offer financial assistance to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships and others provide support in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Newport Beach CA programs you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Newport Beach home, go to the school 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 Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, make sure 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 college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Newport Beach CA, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option also. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.