Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you should research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Tamarac FL residence, together with the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options 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 collected several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Tamarac FL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references 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 regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Tamarac FL barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, check with the Florida 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? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Tamarac FL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques demands lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Tamarac FL barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. So try to find other 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 he or she receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with area businesses that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Tamarac FL area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to 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 available to students too. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option until you determine what financial assistance may be available in Tamarac FL.