Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Delray Beach FL home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Delray Beach FL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Delray Beach FL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, consult the Florida school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 Delray Beach FL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Delray Beach FL barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she receives aid in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with area employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Delray Beach FL area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, 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 Available? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and find out 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 accessible to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be provided in Delray Beach FL.