Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a list of questions that you should research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Palm Desert CA residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. 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 important to make sure that the barber training program you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Palm Desert CA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might 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 outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Palm Desert CA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact the California school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in Palm Desert CA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Palm Desert CA barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he gets aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Palm Desert CA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be available in Palm Desert CA.