Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Southbury CT home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber school you choose 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 meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Southbury CT for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent 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 sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Southbury CT barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, contact the Connecticut 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 Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing 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 dream is to start a barber shop in Southbury CT, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Southbury CT barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she receives assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Southbury CT area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify 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 accessible to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative until you determine what financial assistance may be offered in Southbury CT.