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What to Ask Interior Design Colleges

Now that you have decided on the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the campus must be within commuting distance from your South San Francisco CA home. Of course if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will limit your options as well. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below are a few concerns that you may want to ask the programs you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and subsequently choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior designer college and program that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous 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 establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are exceptional, it may also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many South San Francisco California employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in several of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required as well. So aside from furnishing an exceptional education, the South San Francisco CA college you choose should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be working.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are reviewing 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 school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its students are in demand. It might also indicate that the school has a large network of South San Francisco CA business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Available? Contact the financial aid offices for the South San Francisco CA colleges you are reviewing and find out what kind of aid they offer. A number of interior design programs provide financial aid to their incoming students. Some schools provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in obtaining federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a college that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the South San Francisco CA programs you are reviewing what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your South San Francisco home, go to the college and attend a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make sure that the interior designer program you select provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near South San Francisco CA, make certain that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, verify that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.