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Subjects to Ask Interior Design Schools

After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of reviewing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the school needs to be within driving distance from your Thornton CO residence. Naturally if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The cost of tuition will limit your options also. But picking the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should consider as well, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the schools you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others in order to help you assess and ultimately select the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's essential to confirm that the interior designer college and program that you choose has been accredited by either a regional or national organization. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment 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 acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Thornton Colorado employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.

Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require 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 program. And in some of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore besides providing an exceptional education, the Thornton CO college you choose should also provide the proper training to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum requirements for licensing for Colorado or the State where you will be working.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It could also indicate that the school has a large network of Thornton CO business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.

Is Financial Aid Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the Thornton CO schools you are looking at and find out what kind of support they provide. Many of interior designer programs provide financial aid to their new students. Some schools offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in obtaining federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Big are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you may receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Thornton CO colleges you are considering what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Thornton home, go to the school and sit in on a couple of classes. While there talk with some students and ask what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, confirm that the interior designer school you enroll in provides 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 Thornton CO, verify that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, confirm that is an alternative also. Finally, find out what the protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.