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What to Ask Interior Designer Schools
Now that you have selected the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can begin the process of reviewing your school options. Location will be an important factor, especially if the college must be within driving distance from your Siloam Springs AR home. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are willing to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualifier. The expense for tuition will narrow down your choices also. But selecting the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your selection. There are other issues that you should look at as well, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Following are a list of concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are reviewing to obtain those answers in addition to others in order to help you examine and ultimately select the ideal degree program.
Is the Interior Design School Accredited? It's important to verify that the interior design program and college that you enroll in 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 an extensive evaluation of their programs and teachers. Just verify 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 verify that the reputation of the college and the quality of the education are outstanding, it might also help when securing financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Siloam Springs AR employers will only hire graduates of accredited colleges for entry level jobs.
Does the Program Prep you for Licensing? As we previously mentioned, a number of States do require that interior designers become licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination as well as a degree from an accredited school. And in some of those States calling for licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required as well. So aside from providing an excellent education, the Siloam Springs AR school you choose should also furnish the appropriate education to pass the NCIDQ examination and meet the minimum requirements for licensing for Arkansas or the State where you will be employed.
What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? After you have graduated and earned your interior designer certification, you will probably need some assistance in finding your first job. Ask the schools that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If so, find out what their job placement rates are. A high rate is an excellent indication that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its students are sought after. It might also signify that the college has a substantial network of Siloam Springs AR business contacts where they can refer students to secure internships or jobs after graduation.
Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Siloam Springs AR colleges you are looking at and find out what type of assistance they provide. A number of interior designer programs offer financial aid to their incoming students. Certain schools provide partial scholarships while others provide help in acquiring federal student loans or grants. It must be stressed again that choosing an accredited school is important for qualification in most cases. In some cases a program that has a higher tuition may actually be cheaper than its competitors because they offer more generous financial assistance.
How Large are the Classrooms? Smaller classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Siloam Springs AR colleges you are looking at what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Siloam Springs home, visit the school and sit in on 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 styles are and what their credentials are in interior design.
Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, confirm that the interior design program you select provides classes the fit your hectic schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while going to school. If you can only attend classes in the evening or on weekends near Siloam Springs AR, make certain that those classes are available. If working full-time means you can only attend part-time, confirm that is an option also. Finally, ask what the procedure is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.