Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Hermosa Beach CA residence, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Hermosa Beach CA 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 employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. 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, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Hermosa Beach CA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, contact the California 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 Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in Hermosa Beach CA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Hermosa Beach CA barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets assistance in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Hermosa Beach CA 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 regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may 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 all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you find out what financial help may be available in Hermosa Beach CA.