What to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Alton IL residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber college you choose 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Alton IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating services for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Alton IL barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the Illinois school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive 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 commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and well regarded for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Alton IL, 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 Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Alton IL barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that she or he gets support in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Alton IL area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Alton IL.