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Interior Design Degrees Online

Questions to Ask Interior Designer Schools

Now that you have selected the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of assessing your school options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the college must be within driving distance from your Commerce City CO residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But picking the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other variables that you should consider also, including the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a few concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others in order to help you assess and ultimately pick the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the interior designer program and college that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional organization. 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 evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just verify 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 confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are exceptional, it may also help when securing financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Commerce City Colorado employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the College Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in several 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 Commerce City CO program you enroll in should also furnish the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements 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 designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good sign that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its graduates are sought after. It may also indicate that the school has a significant network of Commerce City CO business relationships where they can refer students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial aid offices for the Commerce City CO colleges you are evaluating and find out what kind of aid they offer. Many of interior designer schools provide financial aid to their incoming students. Some schools provide partial scholarships and others provide assistance in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that selecting an accredited program is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Commerce City CO colleges you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Commerce City home, visit the college and sit in on 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 experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior design school you enroll in offers classes the fit your hectic 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 Commerce City CO, verify 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 process is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.