Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Antelope CA home, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Antelope CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding 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. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Antelope CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention 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 desire is to start a barber shop in Antelope CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Antelope CA barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. So search for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he receives help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help maintain relationships with area employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Antelope CA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating 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 accessible to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you determine what financial aid may be offered in Antelope CA.