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Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

Now that you have decided on the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of evaluating your school options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the school must be within driving distance from your San Clemente CA residence. Naturally if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will decrease your options also. But selecting the least expensive school or the one that is closest to home are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Following are a few questions 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 subsequently select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's essential to verify that the interior design school and program that you enroll in has earned accreditation from 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 demanding evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just make sure 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 verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many San Clemente California employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would require 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 calling for licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an outstanding education, the San Clemente CA school you choose should also furnish the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill 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 attained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job assistance program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its students are in demand. It might also signify that the school has a large network of San Clemente CA business connections where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial assistance offices for the San Clemente CA schools you are looking at and find out what kind of assistance they offer. Many of interior designer programs offer financial aid to their new students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that selecting an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Big are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the San Clemente CA colleges you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your San Clemente home, visit the college and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some 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 Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior designer program you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near San Clemente CA, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option as well. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.