Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Arbutus MD residence, together with the expense of tuition, will probably be your initial 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 school. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, 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 superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Arbutus MD for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Arbutus MD barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, check with the Maryland school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select 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 respected for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Arbutus MD, then you need 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 provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Arbutus MD barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. So try to find alternate schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she receives assistance in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid develop relationships with local businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Arbutus MD area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be offered in Arbutus MD.