Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Following is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Cape Girardeau MO residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like 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 should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
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 recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet 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 available in Cape Girardeau MO for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Cape Girardeau MO barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are looking at. They might even be able to propose others that you had not considered. Finally, consult the Missouri school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Cape Girardeau MO, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Cape Girardeau MO barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that she or he gets assistance in landing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with area businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Cape Girardeau MO area shops and businesses they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might qualify 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 meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you learn what financial assistance may be provided in Cape Girardeau MO.