Questions to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you should look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school relative to your State College PA residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will probably be your initial qualifiers. Whether you want to earn 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 should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have put together some of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
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 certified local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not obtainable in State College PA for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more favorably upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Each barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for references from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Verify that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any contacts with State College PA barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not thought of. Finally, check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for instance 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 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 dream is to start a barber shop in State College PA, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Choosing a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not deliver the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Practicing and refining barbering skills and techniques demands plenty of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a State College PA barber school furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. So search for other schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she receives aid in finding that very first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance maintain relationships with area employers that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and find out which State College PA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Available? Most barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out 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 available to students too. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial aid may be provided in State College PA.