What to Ask Barbering Training Programs
Following is a series of questions that you need to look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Wildwood MO home, as well as the price of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber college you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in Wildwood 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, 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 Great Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the profession. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with Wildwood MO barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, 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 considered. Finally, check with 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, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective is to be trained as a barber, make certain that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Wildwood MO, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly regarded school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities requires lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their developing skills on real people. If a Wildwood MO barber college provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using 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 Provide Job Assistance? Once a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she receives assistance in finding that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Wildwood MO area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to 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 available to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be available in Wildwood MO.