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What to Ask Interior Design Colleges
After you have selected the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can begin the task of evaluating your college options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the school must be within commuting distance from your Fort Smith AR residence. Naturally if you are interested in attending a school online, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will narrow down your options as well. But picking the least expensive college or the one that is nearest to your house are not the optimal ways to make your decision. There are other things that you should consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to ask the programs you are looking at to obtain those answers as well as others to help you examine and subsequently select the right degree program.
Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's necessary to confirm that the interior designer program and college that you enroll in has earned accreditation from either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous evaluation of their teachers and programs. Just make sure that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education recognized accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are outstanding, it may also help when applying for financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not available for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Fort Smith AR employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.
Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) exam in addition to a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States mandating licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore besides providing an outstanding education, the Fort Smith AR program you enroll in should also provide the suitable training to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for Arkansas or the State where you will be employed.
What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and attained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt need some support in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design profession and its students are in demand. It may also indicate that the school has a large network of Fort Smith AR business contacts where they can refer students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.
Is Financial Aid Available? Get in touch with the financial aid offices for the Fort Smith AR schools you are evaluating and find out what type of assistance they offer. Many of interior design programs offer financial aid to their new students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide assistance in obtaining federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that selecting an accredited college is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often 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? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive little individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Fort Smith AR schools you are reviewing what their typical student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Fort Smith home, visit the school and attend a few classes. While there talk 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? Last, make certain that the interior designer school you choose offers classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially significant if you plan to continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Fort Smith AR, confirm that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only enroll part-time, confirm that is an option also. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.