Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Huntington Park CA residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you pick 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Huntington Park CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Huntington Park CA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your vision is to start a barber shop in Huntington Park CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Huntington Park CA barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for cultivating your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this kind 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 landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with area employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Huntington Park CA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, 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 regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 available to students as well. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you learn what financial help may be available in Huntington Park CA.