Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Kirksville MO home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected some of those supplemental 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 pick 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 measure up to their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Kirksville MO for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in many states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Kirksville MO 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 may even be able to suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the Missouri school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are expansive 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 often broaden 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 intention is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to launch a barber shop in Kirksville MO, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Kirksville MO barber school provides limited or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's crucial that he or she gets help in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish assistance develop relationships with area employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Kirksville MO area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not omit it as an option until you find out what financial help may be provided in Kirksville MO.