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Subjects to Ask Interior Design Schools
Once you have selected the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the process of reviewing your college options. Location will be an important issue, especially if the school needs to be within driving distance from your Bentonville AR residence. Of course if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will narrow down your choices as well. But picking the least expensive school or the one that is closest to home are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you should consider as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the programs you are reviewing to get those answers in addition to others to help you compare and subsequently choose the ideal degree program.
Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the interior design program and school that you choose has earned accreditation from either a regional or national organization. One of the most highly regarded 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 evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting agency. Not only will it help confirm that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Bentonville AR employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level positions.
Does the School Prep you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do require that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States calling for licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required also. So aside from furnishing an exceptional education, the Bentonville AR program you enroll in should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ examination and comply with the minimum licensing requirements for Arkansas or the State where you will be working.
What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will probably need some help in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design field and its students are sought after. It may also indicate that the college has a large network of Bentonville AR business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid departments for the Bentonville AR schools you are looking at and find out what type of assistance they provide. A number of interior designer schools provide financial aid to their incoming students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide assistance in securing federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.
How Small are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Ask the Bentonville AR programs you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Bentonville home, visit the school and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.
Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, make sure that the interior designer program you select offers classes the fit your hectic 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 Bentonville AR, verify that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.