Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you will want to research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Morris NJ home, together with the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed 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 put together several of those supplemental questions that you should ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you select 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Morris NJ for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, many employers will not employ 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 school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have referred their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Morris NJ barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, contact the New Jersey school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a particular specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you select a school that focuses on 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 launch a barber shop in Morris NJ, then you need 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 provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities requires plenty of practice on people. Find out 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 talents on real people. If a Morris NJ barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for cultivating your skills. So search for alternate 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 crucial that she or he receives assistance in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for skilled graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which Morris NJ area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. High rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school satisfies all of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Morris NJ.