What to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Gulfport MS residence, together with the expense 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 choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber college 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Gulfport MS for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement 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 favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. 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, signifying that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Gulfport MS barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, consult the Mississippi school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you enroll in a school that focuses on 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 dream is to open a barber shop in Gulfport MS, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing skills on real people. If a Gulfport MS barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So search for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that he or she gets support in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help develop relationships with area employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and find out which Gulfport MS area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Consult with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial help may be offered in Gulfport MS.