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Interior Design Degrees Online

Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Colleges

After you have selected the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of assessing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the campus needs to be within commuting distance from your Castle Rock CO home. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your options also. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the best ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to look at as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the programs you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you compare and subsequently pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to verify that the interior designer program and college that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive evaluation 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 organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are excellent, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Castle Rock Colorado employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of work experience may be required as well. So in addition to furnishing an excellent education, the Castle Rock CO program you select should also provide the proper education to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum requirements for licensing for Colorado or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It might also indicate that the school has a large network of Castle Rock CO business connections where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial assistance offices for the Castle Rock CO schools you are evaluating and find out what kind of support they provide. Many of interior design programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Certain schools offer partial scholarships and others provide support in obtaining grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that enrolling in an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you may receive minimal individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Castle Rock CO colleges you are reviewing what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Castle Rock home, go to the college and monitor a few classes. While there talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design school you enroll in offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Castle Rock CO, verify that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.