Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school in relation to your Lansing MI residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have put together several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you choose 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Lansing MI for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Lansing MI barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. And finally, check with the Michigan school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you enroll in 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 respected for that program. If your desire is to open a barber shop in Lansing MI, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Lansing MI barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore look for other schools that provide this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that he or she receives support in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with local employers that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Lansing MI area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may 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 fulfills all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be offered in Lansing MI.