Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Clinton Township MI home, as well as the cost of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably 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 training program. Following 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 essential to make sure that the barber school you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Clinton Township MI for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous 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 Great Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Clinton Township MI barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the Michigan school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you pick a school that specializes in 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Clinton Township MI, 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 deliver the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Clinton Township MI barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead depends heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that she or he gets aid in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that offer help maintain relationships with local employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Clinton Township MI area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance 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 office. Consult with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be offered in Clinton Township MI.