Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Meridian MS home, in addition to the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you select is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged local or national agency, 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 quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Meridian MS for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more favorably 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 excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Meridian MS barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to propose others that you had not looked into. And last, check with the Mississippi school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs often broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 vision is to launch a barber shop in Meridian MS, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Meridian MS barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies heavily on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So search for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's imperative that she or he receives assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with local employers that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and inquire which Meridian MS area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might 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 all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an option until you determine what financial aid may be provided in Meridian MS.