Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Somerville MA home, together with the cost of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber training program you pick is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized 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 assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which typically are not available in Somerville MA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, many businesses will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber college 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 endorsements from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Somerville MA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the Massachusetts school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your intention 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 dream is to open a barber shop in Somerville MA, 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 require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Somerville MA barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So look for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she receives support in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Somerville MA area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and learn 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 as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Somerville MA.