What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you will want to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Columbia MO residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you should ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College 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 certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Columbia MO for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of employers will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Columbia MO barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the trade, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And finally, check with the Missouri school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance 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 specializes in 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 aspiration is to start a barber shop in Columbia MO, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Columbia MO barber school offers little or no scheduled live training, but instead depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. So look for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she receives assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide help maintain relationships with local employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and inquire which Columbia MO area shops and establishments they refer students to. In addition, 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 regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid office. Consult with a counselor and identify 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 available to students also. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial aid may be provided in Columbia MO.