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Subjects to Ask Interior Designer Programs
After you have selected the interior designer degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the campus has to be within driving distance from your El Dorado AR residence. Obviously if you are interested in attending a school online, or are willing to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will limit your choices also. But picking the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to your residence are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to look at as well, such as the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a few questions that you may want to ask the colleges you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others to help you assess and ultimately pick the ideal degree program.
Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the interior design program and college that you choose has earned accreditation from either a national or regional agency. One of the most highly regarded in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just confirm 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 excellent, it may also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, many El Dorado AR employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.
Does the Program Ready you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, some States do mandate 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 some of those States mandating licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. So besides furnishing an outstanding education, the El Dorado AR program you choose should also provide the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ exam and comply with the minimum requirements for licensing for Arkansas or the State where you will be working.
What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will undoubtedly need some help in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are reviewing if they have a job assistance program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design profession and its students are sought after. It might also signify that the school has a substantial network of El Dorado AR business connections where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.
Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial assistance departments for the El Dorado AR schools you are looking at and find out what kind of aid they provide. A number of interior design programs offer financial aid to their new students. Various schools provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in obtaining federal student loans or grants. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a school that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.
How Large are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive little individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the El Dorado AR programs you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your El Dorado home, visit the school and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to speak with a few students and ask 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 Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior design program you enroll in provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near El Dorado AR, verify that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only enroll part-time, check that is an option as well. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.