Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Phoenix AZ residence, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want 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 even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber school you choose 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 comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Phoenix AZ for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Phoenix AZ barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the Arizona school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Phoenix AZ, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Phoenix AZ barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets support in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Phoenix AZ area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be provided in Phoenix AZ.