Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a list of questions that you should research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Forest Park GA home, as well as the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn 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 even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber training program 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Forest Park GA 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 employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Forest Park GA barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the Georgia school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted 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 areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative 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 well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Forest Park GA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Any Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Forest Park GA barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. So look for alternate schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he receives help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid develop relationships with local employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Forest Park GA area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not drop it as an alternative before you learn what financial assistance may be provided in Forest Park GA.