Think of finding a place to study feng shui like finding a good college.

What do you want to study?

Focus on the techniques. Does Four Pillars interest you? What about the more arcane techniques of Xuan Kong? Would you prefer just to study water and mountain dragons, and other techniques of San He? Do you want to know it all?

Yes, you will have to research a little, but your research can help you save thousands of dollars and needless aggravation.

Make a list of criteria

Consider this list of criteria:

• Types of accreditation or certification
  Studying with people who trademarked their version of feng shui qualifies you for very little, because the trademarked version is not what the rest of the world is studying. Often the words feng shui in the marketing materials are the only link to feng shui. Remember that a doctor and an architect take similar classes no matter where they go to school.
  A certification in building biology labels you as a first-rate nutjob. Feng shui practitioners do not enhance their credibility by embracing this scam.
• Costs
  Determine how much you can realistically afford to pursue your studies. Include tuition, travel costs, equipment costs (good luopans are pricey!), etc.
• Distance from home — if local resources are insufficient for a good education, are you willing to travel?
• Resources
  What educational support can you expect? Are there online forums, do you have access to faculty, can you join study groups, etc.?

• Graduation rate and time
  What does the instructor or school expect you to know to be able to graduate? Are there exit exams to ensure that you have the required skills?
• Placement success, internships, and other programs
  Are there internships available with architects? What about other opportunities?
• Class size
  Can you get help from an instructor during class?
• Classes taught by qualified faculty
  Just because someone knows feng shui doesn’t mean they are good at transmitting that knowledge to others. When many people repeat the same expensive classes three times or more, it is likely that the instruction is insufficient.
• Reputation and quality of instruction
  Talk to graduates, but first ask whether they get discounts or other kickbacks for referring new students. Try to avoid those situations so graduates aren’t attempting to “sell” you on the school.
• What amount of pressure is exerted to excel?
• Is there a religious affiliation?
  You want a school without a religious affiliation or any mentions of religion or belief systems. Avoid any that promote New Age ideas.
• What are the expectations for students, and are they realistic? Do you need to have a level of proficiency in Chinese characters for feng shui? Are you expected to have other skills?

Build a list of all possible instructors and schools

Take your list of criteria and start building a list of teachers and feng shui schools that meet your criteria. Gather important facts about the types of classes at each school. Compare how classes are explained on college websites with the way classes are explained for a feng shui school. If an instructor or school does not supply you with the level of detail you request, strike them from your list. They are interested in your money, not in your education.

For example, there is no sound business reason for concealing the names and bios of instructors. That should be a selling point, not a trade secret. You should not have to email a school and then call them to have them release this information. They have something to conceal from all except gullible victimspeople willing to enroll.

Fraud and falsehood only dread examination. Truth invites it.

— Samuel Johnson

Refine your list

Take your criteria and match it to the schools and instructors. Delete any that don’t match. Contact the schools and get as much information as you can. Continue narrowing the list until you decide.

Visiting or proctoring

Can you take free classes to see whether you like the teaching style? Avoid schools that don’t want to tell you anything about what they teach except in vague generalities, don’t want to tell you the names of faculty, etc. Feng shui educators must conform to the business laws where they are based. You have a right to know just as much about a feng shui educational facility as you do about any other business.