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Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Once you have decided on the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the college has to be within commuting distance from your Orangevale CA home. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will narrow down your options also. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to home are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you need to look at as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the schools you are considering to get those answers as well as others to help you examine and ultimately choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior designer college and program that you choose has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their instructors and programs. Just verify that both the degree program and the college 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 excellent, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Orangevale California employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do mandate 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 college. And in some of those States mandating licensing, 2 or more years of work experience may be required also. So besides providing an excellent education, the Orangevale CA college you choose should also provide the proper training to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum requirements for licensing 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 probably want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It may also indicate that the college has a significant network of Orangevale CA business connections where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial aid departments for the Orangevale CA colleges you are reviewing and ask what kind of assistance they offer. A number of interior design programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide help in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Orangevale CA programs you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Orangevale home, go to the college and sit in on a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior design school you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes at night or on weekends near Orangevale CA, verify that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, ask what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.