Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Davenport IA home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue 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 even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you select 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Davenport IA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some 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 individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent 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. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating 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 Davenport IA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the Iowa 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 Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 dream is to start a barber shop in Davenport IA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Davenport IA barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she receives help in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with area employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Davenport IA area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask 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 as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative until you find out what financial assistance may be provided in Davenport IA.