What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you should research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Owings Mills MD residence, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt 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 need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Owings Mills MD for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Owings Mills MD barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. And last, consult 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? Many beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your goal 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 aspiration is to open a barber shop in Owings Mills MD, then you want 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 deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Owings Mills MD barber college provides limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she gets aid in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Owings Mills MD area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, 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 regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school meets each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an option before you determine what financial aid may be provided in Owings Mills MD.