Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Conway AR home, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
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 certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Conway AR for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers 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 industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Conway AR barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the Arkansas school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in Conway AR, 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 weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Conway AR barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she receives assistance in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Conway AR area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to 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 too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an alternative until you determine what financial assistance may be offered in Conway AR.