What to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Concord IN home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will probably be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Concord IN for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to excellent 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 sought after. Check rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Concord IN barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. Finally, consult the Indiana school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your dream is to launch a barber shop in Concord IN, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Concord IN barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he receives help in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with local employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Concord IN area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing 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 available to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you determine what financial assistance may be offered in Concord IN.