What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Town N Country FL home, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Town N Country FL for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Town N Country FL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact the Florida school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Town N Country FL, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Town N Country FL barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she receives assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Town N Country FL area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of 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 cost, do not omit it as an option before you determine what financial aid may be available in Town N Country FL.