Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Below is a series of questions that you should research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already discussed, the location of the school in relation to your Lufkin TX home, in addition to the expense of tuition, will most likely be your primary qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt 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 college. Following we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask each school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education acknowledged 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 superior curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for acquiring student loans or financial aid, which typically are not offered in Lufkin TX 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 businesses will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or may look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Any barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating services for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any relationships with Lufkin TX barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are looking at. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. And last, contact the Texas school licensing authority to see if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in complete compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive 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 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to open a barber shop in Lufkin TX, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Live Training Provided? Studying and perfecting barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is furnished in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that make it possible for students to practice their growing skills on volunteers. If a Lufkin TX barber school furnishes minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies mainly on using mannequins, it might not be the most effective alternative for cultivating your skills. So try to find other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's essential that she or he gets assistance in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with local employers that are searching for qualified graduates available for hiring. Verify that the programs you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Lufkin TX 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 broad networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? The majority of barber schools provide financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are looking at have a financial aid office. Speak with a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you may get approved for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students also. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of cost, do not discard it as an alternative before you determine what financial help may be available in Lufkin TX.