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What to Ask Interior Design Programs
Once you have selected the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the process of reviewing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, especially if the college needs to be within driving distance from your Centerton AR residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are prepared to move to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will narrow down your options also. But picking the cheapest college or the one that is nearest to home are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should look at also, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Below are a list of questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others to help you compare and ultimately select the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior designer program and college that you choose has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding assessment of their programs and teachers. Just verify that both the college and the degree program 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 education are exceptional, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Centerton AR employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level jobs.
Does the School Ready you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States calling for licensing, a minimum of 2 years of occupational experience may be required also. So besides providing an outstanding education, the Centerton AR college you choose should also furnish the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and satisfy the minimum requirements for licensing for Arkansas or the State where you will be employed.
What is the School's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will probably want some support in finding your first job. 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 an excellent indication that the school and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It could also indicate that the college has a significant network of Centerton AR business contacts where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Centerton AR schools you are looking at and find out what type of aid they offer. Many of interior design programs provide financial assistance to their new students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships and others provide help in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Often a program that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.
How Large are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Centerton AR programs you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Centerton home, visit the school and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with some students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching styles are and what their experiences have been in interior design.
Are Classes Offered that Fit your Schedule? Last, make certain that the interior design program you choose offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially important if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Centerton AR, verify that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an alternative as well. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.