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What to Ask Interior Designer Colleges
When you have chosen the interior designer degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of analyzing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your Hot Springs Village AR home. Of course if you have decided on attending an online school, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The fee for tuition will narrow down your options as well. But choosing the most affordable college or the one that is nearest to home are not the optimal ways to make your selection. There are other things that you need to consider also, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the programs you are considering to obtain those answers as well as others to help you compare and subsequently pick the ideal degree program.
Is the Interior Design College Accredited? It's essential to make sure 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 industry is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their teachers and programs. Just verify that both the college and the degree program have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the education are exceptional, it may also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, many Hot Springs Village AR employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.
Does the College Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, several States do mandate that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited program. And in several of those States mandating licensing, a minimum of 2 years of professional experience may be required also. So in addition to providing an exceptional education, the Hot Springs Village AR program you enroll in should also furnish the proper training to pass the NCIDQ examination and satisfy the minimum licensing requirements for Arkansas or the State where you will be working.
What is the College's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and obtained your interior designer certification, you will no doubt want some support in finding your first position. Ask the programs that you are looking at if they have a job assistance 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 esteem within the interior design profession and its graduates are sought after. It may also signify that the school has a large network of Hot Springs Village AR business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after graduation.
Is Financial Aid Provided? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Hot Springs Village AR colleges you are looking at and ask what type of assistance they offer. A number of interior design schools offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Certain colleges offer partial scholarships and others provide support in obtaining federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial assistance.
How Big are the Classes? Smaller classes are more intimate and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual instruction from the teachers. Find out from the Hot Springs Village AR programs you are looking at what their typical teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Hot Springs Village 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 approaches are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.
Are Classes Available that Accommodate your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior design college you choose provides classes the fit your busy schedule. This is especially significant if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Hot Springs Village AR, confirm that those classes are offered. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, verify that is an option as well. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to illness, work or family emergencies.