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Interior Design Degrees Online

Subjects to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Once you have decided on the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of assessing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your Oakley CA residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will decrease your options as well. But picking the least expensive school or the one that is nearest to home are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you should look at as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a few questions that you may want to address with the schools you are looking at to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and ultimately select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School 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 agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive evaluation 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 recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it may also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Oakley California employers will only hire graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, 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 calling for licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. Therefore besides providing an exceptional education, the Oakley CA school you enroll in should also furnish the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some support in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It could also signify that the college has a sizable network of Oakley CA business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Oakley CA colleges you are looking at and find out what type of assistance they provide. Many of interior designer colleges provide financial assistance to their new students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide help in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Oakley CA programs you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Oakley home, visit the campus and sit in on a few classes. While there talk with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer college you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Oakley CA, confirm that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.