Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your South Rock Island IL home, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish 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 take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected some 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 sure that the barber school you pick 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in South Rock Island IL for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many 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 may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with South Rock Island IL barber shop owners or managers, or someone 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 thought of. And finally, check with the Illinois school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention 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 open a barber shop in South Rock Island IL, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a South Rock Island IL barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she gets help in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which South Rock Island IL area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? 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 office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be offered in South Rock Island IL.