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Subjects to Ask Interior Design Schools

When you have chosen the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of assessing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Stanton CA residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But choosing the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a list of questions that you may want to ask the schools you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and ultimately select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior designer college and program that you select has earned accreditation from either a national or regional 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 an extensive assessment of their instructors and programs. Just make sure 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 outstanding, it might also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many Stanton California employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States mandating licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required as well. So in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Stanton CA school you enroll in should also provide the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for California or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly want some support in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It may also indicate that the college has a sizable network of Stanton CA business relationships where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial aid offices for the Stanton CA schools you are looking at and ask what kind of aid they provide. A number of interior design programs offer financial aid to their new students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Stanton CA schools you are looking at what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Stanton home, go to the school and monitor a few classes. While there speak with a few 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? Last, make sure that the interior design school you choose provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Stanton CA, make certain that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an option also. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.