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Subjects to Ask Interior Design Schools
Now that you have chosen the interior design degree that you would like to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the campus has to be within driving distance from your Jonesboro AR residence. Of course if you have decided on attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualifier. The cost of tuition will narrow down your options as well. But picking the most affordable school or the one that is closest to your residence are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you should look at also, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the schools you are reviewing to get those answers as well as others to help you compare and subsequently choose the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Design Degree Program Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the interior design program and college that you select 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 obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a rigorous evaluation of their instructors and programs. Just confirm that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting agency. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are excellent, it may also help when requesting financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Jonesboro AR employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.
Does the School 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 requiring licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore aside from furnishing an outstanding education, the Jonesboro AR program you choose should also furnish the appropriate instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and meet 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 received your interior designer certification, you will probably need some assistance in finding your first position. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A high rate is a good sign that the college and its programs are highly regarded within the interior design trade and its graduates are sought after. It may also indicate that the school has a significant network of Jonesboro AR business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or jobs after they graduate.
Is Financial Aid Provided? Get in touch with the financial assistance departments for the Jonesboro AR schools you are looking at and ask what kind of assistance they provide. A number of interior designer colleges offer financial assistance to their incoming students. Various colleges offer partial scholarships while others provide assistance in acquiring grants or federal student loans. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited school is imperative for qualification in most cases. Often a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be less expensive than its competitors because they offer more generous financial aid.
How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more intimate and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Jonesboro AR colleges you are looking at what their average teacher to student ratios are. If convenient from your Jonesboro home, go to the college and attend a couple of classes. While there talk with a few students and find out what their experiences have been. Ask the instructors what their teaching approaches are and what their experiences have been in interior design.
Are Classes Offered that Accommodate your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior design college you choose offers classes the fit your busy schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while attending college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Jonesboro AR, confirm that those classes are offered. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative as well. Finally, check what the procedure is for making up classes missed because of work, sickness or family obligations.