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Topics to Ask Interior Designer Schools

After you have decided on the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can start the task of assessing your college options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the school needs to be within driving distance from your Visalia CA home. Naturally if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will narrow down your options as well. But choosing the most affordable school or the one that is closest to home are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you need to consider also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below are a list of questions that you may want to address with the programs you are looking at to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and subsequently pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior design program and college that you choose has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous assessment of their programs and teachers. Just confirm 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are exceptional, it may also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Visalia California employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate that interior designers become 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 college. And in some of those States requiring licensing, at least 2 years of work experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to furnishing an excellent education, the Visalia CA school you enroll in should also provide the proper instruction 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 School's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will probably want some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its graduates are sought after. It might also signify that the college has a sizable network of Visalia CA business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Visalia CA schools you are reviewing and find out what kind of assistance they provide. Many of interior designer programs offer financial assistance to their new students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships and others provide assistance in acquiring grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Visalia CA programs you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Visalia home, go to the school 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 approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior design college you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Visalia CA, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm 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.