What to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Gaithersburg MD residence, together with the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber college you enroll in 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 meet their high standards guaranteeing a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Gaithersburg MD for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. 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, indicating that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Gaithersburg MD barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not thought of. And last, consult the Maryland school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal 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 launch a barber shop in Gaithersburg MD, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Learning and refining barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Gaithersburg MD barber college furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer assistance develop relationships with local employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Gaithersburg MD area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved 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 all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Gaithersburg MD.