Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Elkridge MD residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly 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 college. Following we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber school you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Elkridge MD for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Elkridge MD barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the Maryland school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you decide on a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Elkridge MD, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Elkridge MD barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that he or she gets help in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with area employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and find out which Elkridge MD area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out 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 Offered? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn 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 available to students as well. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not omit it as an option before you find out what financial assistance may be provided in Elkridge MD.