What to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you should investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Bowling Green KY home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have collected several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college you pick 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Bowling Green KY for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing 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 Bowling Green KY barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not thought of. And finally, contact the Kentucky school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive 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 often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you enroll in a school that focuses on 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Bowling Green KY, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Find out 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 enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Bowling Green KY barber college offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends predominantly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore try to find other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? Once a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with local businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Bowling Green KY area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, 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? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Bowling Green KY.