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Questions to Ask Interior Designer Programs

After you have chosen the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of assessing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the college has to be within commuting distance from your Centennial CO residence. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will limit your choices as well. But choosing the least expensive school or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other factors that you need to consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a few questions that you may want to address with the schools you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you examine and subsequently select the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior designer program and school that you choose has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous 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 acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when applying for financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Centennial Colorado employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in some of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore besides providing an excellent education, the Centennial CO program you select should also provide the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Colorado or the State where you will be employed.

What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly need some support in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It could also signify that the school has a substantial network of Centennial CO business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Centennial CO schools you are evaluating and find out what type of assistance they provide. A number of interior designer schools provide financial aid to their incoming students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships and others provide assistance in securing 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 school that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Centennial CO programs you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Centennial home, visit the school and monitor a couple of classes. While there speak with some 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 Accessible that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior design college you select offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Centennial CO, make sure that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an alternative as well. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.