Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your El Cerrito CA home, as well as the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in El Cerrito CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with El Cerrito CA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, contact the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in El Cerrito CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a El Cerrito CA barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she receives aid in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which El Cerrito CA area shops and organizations they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be offered in El Cerrito CA.