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What to Ask Interior Design Colleges
After you have chosen the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the task of evaluating your college options. Location will be a critical issue, particularly if the campus needs to be within driving distance from your Bella Vista AR residence. Of course if you are interested in attending an online school, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will limit your options also. But choosing the cheapest college or the one that is closest to your residence are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you need to consider as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the school. Below are a few concerns that you may want to ask the programs you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others in order to help you compare and ultimately choose the right degree program.
Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's important to confirm that the interior design college and program that you enroll in has been accredited by 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 obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous assessment of their programs and instructors. 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 school and the quality of the training are excellent, it may also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited schools. Also, many Bella Vista AR employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.
Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do require that interior designers get 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 program. And in some of those States calling for licensing, at least 2 years of occupational experience may be required as well. So besides providing an outstanding education, the Bella Vista AR school you select should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum licensing requirements for Arkansas or the State where you will be employed.
What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will undoubtedly want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent sign that the school and its programs are held in high regard within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It might also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Bella Vista AR business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.
Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Bella Vista AR schools you are evaluating and ask what kind of support they offer. Many of interior design programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide support in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that choosing an accredited program is important for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may ultimately be cheaper than its competitors because they provide more generous financial aid.
How Large are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Bella Vista AR schools you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Bella Vista home, go to the college and sit in on a few classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their credentials are in interior design.
Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design college you enroll in offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Bella Vista AR, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, check what the process is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.