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Topics to Ask Interior Designer Schools

When you have chosen the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the process of assessing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the college has to be within driving distance from your San Leandro CA residence. Obviously if you have decided on attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will narrow down your options also. But selecting the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you should look at as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the programs you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you examine and ultimately choose the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior design program and college that you choose has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through 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 agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many San Leandro California employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States mandating licensing, a minimum of 2 years of work experience may be required as well. Therefore besides furnishing an outstanding education, the San Leandro CA school you choose should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its graduates are sought after. It may also indicate that the college has a sizable network of San Leandro CA business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the San Leandro CA colleges you are reviewing and find out what type of aid they provide. A number of interior designer programs provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. In some cases a school that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the San Leandro CA colleges you are considering what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your San Leandro home, go to the school and monitor a few 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 credentials are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer college you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near San Leandro CA, make sure that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of work, family or illness.