Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a list of questions that you need to investigate for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Kent OH home, in addition to the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will undoubtedly be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's necessary 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 comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in Kent OH for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, numerous businesses will not recruit recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have referred their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Kent OH barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the field, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the Ohio school licensing authority to find out 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 areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you choose a school that specializes in 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 well regarded for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Kent OH, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach 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 Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and perfecting barbering techniques and abilities demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their developing talents on real people. If a Kent OH barber college offers limited or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for cultivating your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that he or she receives assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide aid maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Kent OH area shops and businesses they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Available? The majority of barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid department. Talk to 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 available to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications except for expense, do not eliminate it as an alternative before you learn what financial assistance may be provided in Kent OH.