Arvada Aurora Boulder Brighton
Broomfield Canon City Castle Rock Centennial
Colorado Springs Commerce City Dakota Ridge Denver
Englewood Fort Collins Grand Junction Greeley
Highlands Ranch Ken Caryl Lakewood Littleton
Longmont Loveland Northglenn Parker
Pueblo Pueblo West Security Widefield Southglenn
Thornton Westminster Wheat Ridge


 

What to Ask Interior Designer Programs

Once you have chosen the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can begin the task of analyzing your school options. Location will be an important factor, particularly if the campus has to be within driving distance from your CO home. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will limit your choices also. But choosing the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you should look at also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the schools you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others to help you compare and ultimately pick the ideal degree program.

Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior designer program and college that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most highly regarded in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just confirm 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 confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Colorado employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore besides providing an exceptional education, the  CO school you select should also provide the appropriate training to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum requirements for licensing for Colorado or the State where you will be employed.

What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and obtained your interior design certification, you will probably need some help in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are looking at 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 college and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design field and its graduates are in demand. It might also signify that the college has a large network of  CO business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the  CO colleges you are reviewing and ask what type of assistance they provide. Many of interior design schools offer financial aid to their new students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide assistance in obtaining grants or federal student loans. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited college is essential for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial assistance.

How Small are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Ask the CO schools you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your home, visit the campus and sit in on a couple of classes. While there speak with some students and ask 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 Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer school you select offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while attending school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near CO, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, ask what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.