Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a list of questions that you need to research for any barber college you are considering. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your Pennsauken NJ home, together with the price of tuition, will most likely be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue 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 even more factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Following we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you select 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 comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not offered in Pennsauken NJ 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 businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously considering should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is a good beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with Pennsauken NJ barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And finally, contact the New Jersey school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select 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 well regarded for that program. If your vision is to launch a barber shop in Pennsauken NJ, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Pennsauken NJ barber school furnishes limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the best option for developing your skills. Therefore look for other schools that offer this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he gets assistance in securing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with local businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Pennsauken NJ area shops and organizations they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Almost all barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Check if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you find out what financial assistance may be offered in Pennsauken NJ.