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Topics to Ask Interior Design Programs

Once you have decided on the interior design degree that you want to earn, you can start the task of assessing your college options. Location will be a critical issue, especially if the college needs to be within commuting distance from your Fort Smith AR home. Of course if you have decided on attending a school online, or are prepared to relocate to attend classes, then location might not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will decrease your choices also. But selecting the most affordable school or the one that is nearest to your house are not the best ways to make your decision. There are other issues that you should look at also, such as the accreditation and reputation of the school. Below are a few concerns that you may want to address with the programs you are reviewing to obtain those answers as well as others to help you examine and ultimately pick the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer College Accredited? It's necessary to verify that the interior designer program and college that you enroll in has been accredited by 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). Colleges obtaining accreditation from the NASAD have undergone a rigorous assessment 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 establish that the reputation of the college and the quality of the training are outstanding, it may also help when obtaining financial assistance or a student loan. Often they are not accessible for non-accredited colleges. Also, a number of Fort Smith Arkansas employers will only employ graduates of accredited colleges for entry level positions.

Does the Program Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, a number of States do mandate that interior designers get licensed. This would necessitate a passing score on the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination in addition to a degree from an accredited college. And in some of those States requiring licensing, 2 or more years of occupational experience may be required as well. Therefore in addition to furnishing an exceptional education, the Fort Smith AR program you choose should also provide the proper instruction to pass the NCIDQ exam and fulfill the minimum requirements for licensing for Arkansas or the State where you will be employed.

What is the Program's Job Placement Rate? Once you have graduated and earned your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some help in finding your first job. Ask the colleges that you are looking at if they have a job placement program. If so, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is an excellent sign that the college and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design field and its students are in demand. It could also indicate that the school has a sizable network of Fort Smith AR business relationships where they can refer students to obtain internships or employment after they graduate.

Is Financial Assistance Offered? Contact the financial assistance offices for the Fort Smith AR schools you are looking at and find out what kind of support they offer. A number of interior design colleges offer financial aid to their new students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide help in acquiring federal student loans or grants. Again it must be stressed that choosing an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. In some cases a college that has a higher tuition may effectively be cheaper than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classes? Small classes are more personal and conducive to personalized instruction. If classes are large, you probably will receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Find out from the Fort Smith AR colleges you are looking at what their average student to teacher ratios are. If practical from your Fort Smith home, go to the school and attend 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 philosophies are and what their backgrounds are in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Last, verify that the interior designer college you choose provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is particularly important if you will continue working while going to college. If you can only go to classes at night or on weekends near Fort Smith AR, confirm that those classes are available. If you have a full-time job and can only attend part-time, check that is an alternative also. Finally, check what the protocol is for making up classes missed because of illness, work or family emergencies.