Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Jurupa Valley CA home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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 need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Jurupa Valley CA 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 hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals 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 field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Jurupa Valley CA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And last, contact the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to start a barber shop in Jurupa Valley 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 weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Jurupa Valley CA barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore 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 imperative that he or she receives assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with local employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Jurupa Valley CA area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify 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 fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be offered in Jurupa Valley CA.