What to Ask Barber Training Programs
Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Parkville MD home, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make sure that the barber school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, 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 can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Parkville MD for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating services for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Parkville MD barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, 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. And last, contact the Maryland school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive 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 often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 open a barber shop in Parkville MD, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Parkville MD barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she receives help in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with local businesses that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Parkville MD area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you determine what financial help may be offered in Parkville MD.