Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a list of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your Stroud PA residence, as well as the expense of tuition, will probably be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have reduced your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you need to research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have compiled some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make sure that the barber college you choose 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). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be necessary for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Stroud PA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a final benefit, a number of businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have an Excellent Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously considering should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for endorsements from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, attesting that their students are highly demanded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any relationships with Stroud PA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the industry, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are considering. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the Pennsylvania school licensing authority to find out if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, concentrating on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you decide on a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your ambition 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 Stroud PA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly rated school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and refining barbering techniques and abilities involves lots of practice on volunteers. Ask how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Stroud PA barber college furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends predominantly on using mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for cultivating 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 imperative that he or she receives aid in landing that initial job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that furnish aid maintain relationships with area employers that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and inquire which Stroud PA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly respected as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are investigating have a financial aid office. Talk to a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you might get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not eliminate it as an option before you determine what financial assistance may be available in Stroud PA.