What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your East Point GA home, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber school you enroll in 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in East Point GA for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with East Point GA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Georgia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often 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 ambition 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 dream is to launch a barber shop in East Point GA, 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 weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a East Point GA barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets support in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish help develop relationships with area employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which East Point GA area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 available to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be available in East Point GA.