Interior Design Schools Guide

The interior design industry depends on right choice of school to attend. Your clientele will definitely depend on the contacts you know, and the relationships you build in school with other prospective interior designers are fundamental to building a great career. However, the first thing to hurdle is your choice of school.

1. Focus
- Is it solely an interior design school?
- Does it offer other courses?
- Does the school participate in any interior design competition?
- Have they accomplished anything of reknown in the industry?
- Do the strengths of the school play to your strengths?
2. Alumni Accomplishments
- Have any reknown students come from this facility?
- Do they offer job placement opportunities?
- Do they have significant connections within the industry?
- Read professional reviews on the performance of interior design schools
3. Curriculum/Programs
You must assess whether the curriculum is relevant to you field of study. You may want to compare the curricula of different schools to see which offers the best form of education. It would also be wise to check the quality of the teaching staff at that school. Having established artists who teach at a interior design school is also an indication of a good training program.
4. Student to Teacher Ratio
- How big are the classes
- How many teachers and classes are available
5. Accreditation and Educational Standards
Accreditation means the school has passed a certain standards of educational quality. Accreditation is performed by the U.S. Department of Education. Interior design schools must be accredited to prove their level of competence. Check with the State Postsecondary School Licensing Bureau to see if the college you are investigating is accredited. Also, check National Approval and Accreditation for this concern.
6. Cost
Some people may proclaim that to obtain their education, they would spare no coin. Unfortunately, it also pays to be practical in your choice of interior design school. If the school you choose has a tuition rate that is beyond your financial capability, you might find yourself working unable to pursue your studies consistently due to the financial stress which may lead you to look for part-time work.
7. Scholarships
You might want to consider whether the design school you are looking at offers any scholarships. You also might want to know the terms to them too. Some schools offer scholarships based on academic performance. Some offer them based on interior design competitions they hold regularly.