Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Santa Fe Springs CA home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want 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 preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school you enroll in 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 assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Santa Fe Springs 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 employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. 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, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Santa Fe Springs CA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the California school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific 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 intention is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in Santa Fe Springs 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 deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Santa Fe Springs CA barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he gets support in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Santa Fe Springs CA area shops and establishments 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 respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to 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 except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative before you find out what financial help may be offered in Santa Fe Springs CA.