Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Des Plaines IL home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Des Plaines IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Check 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 organizations. If you have any relationships with Des Plaines IL barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, 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 Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that specializes in 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 respected for that program. If your dream is to open a barber shop in Des Plaines IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques demands 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 site that allow students to practice their developing skills on volunteers. If a Des Plaines IL barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather relies predominantly on utilizing 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 have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that he or she receives help in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with local employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Des Plaines IL area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to 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 except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be offered in Des Plaines IL.