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Questions to Ask Interior Designer Programs

When you have selected the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of assessing your college options. Location will be an important issue, particularly if the campus must be within driving distance from your Littleton CO residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will decrease your choices as well. But choosing the cheapest school or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other variables that you should consider also, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the colleges you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you compare and ultimately select the appropriate degree program.

Is the Interior Designer School Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior designer school and program that you enroll in 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 gone through a demanding assessment of their teachers and programs. Just verify that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. 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 requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Littleton Colorado employers will only hire graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.

Does the College Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do mandate that interior designers become 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 college. And in some of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. So in addition to providing an outstanding education, the Littleton CO college you enroll in should also furnish the proper training to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet the minimum licensing requirements 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 designer certification, you will probably want some help in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask 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 field and its graduates are sought after. It could also indicate that the school has a large network of Littleton CO business connections where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Available? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Littleton CO colleges you are evaluating and find out what type of aid they offer. Many of interior designer programs provide financial aid to their incoming students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide help in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited college is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Large are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Littleton CO programs you are reviewing what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Littleton home, visit the school and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design college you select offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly significant if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Littleton CO, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.