What to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Lutz FL home, as well as the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn 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 even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you select 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 ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Lutz FL for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references 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. Check rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Lutz FL barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the Florida school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention 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 start a barber shop in Lutz FL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Lutz FL barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Lutz FL area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be offered in Lutz FL.