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Questions to Ask Interior Designer Schools

Now that you have chosen the interior designer degree that you wish to earn, you can start the process of analyzing your school options. Location will be a critical factor, particularly if the school needs to be within driving distance from your Texarkana AR home. Obviously if you are interested in attending an online school, or are able to relocate to attend classes, then location may not be a qualification. The expense for tuition will narrow down your options also. But selecting the most affordable college or the one that is closest to your house are not the ideal ways to make your decision. There are other factors that you should look at also, including the reputation and accreditation of the college. Below are a list of concerns that you may want to ask the colleges you are looking at to obtain those answers as well as others to help you examine and ultimately choose the right degree program.

Is the Interior Designer Degree Program Accredited? It's imperative to make sure that the interior designer college and program that you enroll in has been accredited by either a regional or national agency. One of the most respected in the field is the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Schools receiving accreditation from the NASAD have gone through an extensive assessment of their instructors and programs. Just verify 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 establish that the reputation of the school and the quality of the training are exceptional, it might also help when obtaining financial aid or a student loan. Often they are not offered for non-accredited schools. Also, a number of Texarkana Arkansas employers will only employ graduates of accredited schools for entry level jobs.

Does the School Prepare you for Licensing? As we mentioned earlier, several States do mandate that interior designers become 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 several of those States mandating licensing, two or more years of professional experience may be required also. Therefore aside from furnishing an outstanding education, the Texarkana AR school you choose should also provide the proper training to pass the NCIDQ exam 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? Once you have graduated and attained your interior design certification, you will no doubt want some support in finding your first position. Ask the colleges that you are considering if they have a job placement program. If yes, ask what their job placement rates are. A higher rate is a good indication that the school and its programs are held in high esteem within the interior design trade and its graduates are in demand. It could also indicate that the college has a substantial network of Texarkana AR business connections where they can place students to obtain internships or employment after graduation.

Is Financial Assistance Provided? Contact the financial assistance departments for the Texarkana AR schools you are reviewing and ask what type of assistance they provide. A number of interior designer programs provide financial assistance to their incoming students. Various colleges provide partial scholarships and others provide support in securing grants or federal student loans. It must be emphasized again that enrolling in an accredited program is essential for qualification in most cases. Sometimes a program that has a higher tuition may actually be less expensive than its counterparts because they offer more generous financial aid.

How Small are the Classrooms? Small classes are more personal and conducive to one on one instruction. If classes are larger, you may receive limited individual attention from the teachers. Ask the Texarkana AR programs you are considering what their average student to teacher ratios are. If convenient from your Texarkana home, visit the campus and sit in on 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 philosophies are and what their experiences have been in interior design.

Are Classes Accessible that Fit your Schedule? Finally, make certain that the interior designer school you enroll in provides classes the fit your active schedule. This is especially important if you plan to continue working while going to school. If you can only go to classes in the evening or on weekends near Texarkana AR, confirm 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 protocol is for making up classes missed due to work, family or illness.