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What to Ask Interior Design Colleges
After you have selected the interior design degree that you wish to earn, you can begin the task of reviewing your school options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your Sherwood AR home. Obviously if you have decided on attending a school online, or are able to move to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The fee for tuition will decrease your choices as well. But selecting the cheapest 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 as well, including the accreditation and reputation of the program. Following are a list of questions that you may want to address with the programs you are looking at to obtain those answers as well as others to help you examine and ultimately choose the appropriate degree program.
Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's imperative to confirm that the interior design program and school that you enroll in has been accredited by either a national or regional agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Colleges earning accreditation from the NASAD have gone through a demanding evaluation of their programs and instructors. Just confirm that both the degree program and the college have been accredited by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged accrediting organization. Not only will it help verify that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are excellent, it might also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited schools. Also, many Sherwood AR employers will only employ graduates of accredited programs for entry level positions.
Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, some States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would require a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited school. And in several of those States mandating licensing, 2 or more years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore aside from furnishing an exceptional education, the Sherwood AR program you enroll in should also furnish the suitable education to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum licensing requirements for Arkansas or the State where you will be working.
What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and received your interior design certification, you will probably want some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job assistance program. If yes, find out what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the college and its programs are highly esteemed within the interior design profession and its graduates are in demand. It may also signify that the school has a significant network of Sherwood AR business contacts where they can place students to secure internships or employment after they graduate.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial aid offices for the Sherwood AR schools you are evaluating and find out what kind of support they provide. A number of interior designer programs provide financial aid to their new students. Certain colleges provide partial scholarships while others provide assistance in securing federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that enrolling in an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they provide more generous financial aid.
How Small are the Classes? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you probably will receive minimal individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Sherwood AR colleges you are considering what their average teacher to student ratios are. If practical from your Sherwood home, go to the school and monitor a couple of classes. Take the opportunity to 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 Fit your Schedule? Finally, verify that the interior designer college you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Sherwood AR, make certain that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option also. Finally, find out what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, sickness or family obligations.