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Subjects to Ask Interior Design Colleges

When you have selected the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can start the task of assessing your college options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the campus has to be within commuting distance from your Thousand Oaks CA home. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will limit your options also. But selecting the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you should look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the programs you are considering to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and subsequently select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's imperative to confirm that the interior designer school and program that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone an extensive assessment of their programs and teachers. Just verify 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 confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are excellent, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Thousand Oaks California employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require 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 mandating licensing, a minimum of 2 years of professional experience may be required as well. So in addition to furnishing an exceptional education, the Thousand Oaks CA program you choose should also provide the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for California or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will no doubt need some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its graduates are sought after. It may also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Thousand Oaks CA business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Thousand Oaks CA colleges you are reviewing and find out what kind of aid they offer. Many of interior designer colleges offer financial aid to their new students. Some schools provide partial scholarships and others provide assistance in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited school 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 aid.

How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Thousand Oaks CA schools you are reviewing what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Thousand Oaks home, go to the school and monitor a few classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer school you select offers classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Thousand Oaks CA, verify that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.