What to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Lake Havasu City AZ home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Lake Havasu City AZ for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Lake Havasu City AZ barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the Arizona school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in Lake Havasu City AZ, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Lake Havasu City AZ barber school offers limited or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that she or he gets assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with local businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Lake Havasu City AZ area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be available in Lake Havasu City AZ.