Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously covered, the location of the school relative to your Piscataway NJ residence, together with the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial 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 choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you need to ask every school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education certified local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards assuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Piscataway NJ for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each 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 references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly demanded. Visit rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Piscataway NJ barber shop owners or managers, or anyone 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 thought of. Finally, consult 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 Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative 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 aspiration is to start a barber shop in Piscataway 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 deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on people. Ask how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that allow students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Piscataway NJ barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends heavily on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective option for developing your skills. So search for alternate schools that provide 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 landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are seeking skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Piscataway NJ area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, 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 regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? 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 office. Talk to a counselor and identify what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school meets each of your other qualifications except for cost, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be provided in Piscataway NJ.