Questions to Ask Barber Schools
Below is a series of questions that you should research for any barber college you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Southold NY home, as well as the price of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are even more factors that you must research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled several of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary to make sure that the barber college you enroll in 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 ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be essential for securing student loans or financial aid, which often are not offered in Southold NY for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in many 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 individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent 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 referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, indicating that their students are highly regarded. Check rating services for reviews as well as the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Southold NY 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 suggest others that you had not looked into. Finally, consult the New York school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Many beauty schools offer programs that are expansive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's important that you choose a school that focuses on your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 desire is to open a barber shop in Southold NY, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct 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 Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques requires lots of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Southold NY barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on utilizing mannequins, it may not be the best alternative for developing your skills. So try to find alternate schools that furnish this type of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's essential that she or he receives help in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid maintain relationships with area employers that are looking for qualified graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and ask which Southold NY area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may qualify 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 with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an alternative until you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Southold NY.