What to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a list of questions that you should research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Crown Point IN residence, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial 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 narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
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 certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Crown Point IN for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous businesses will not hire 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 evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Crown Point IN barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Indiana school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your intention is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your aspiration is to start a barber shop in Crown Point IN, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on people. Check 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 Crown Point IN barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he gets assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with local employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Crown Point IN area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be offered in Crown Point IN.