What to Ask Barbering Colleges
Following is a list of questions that you should look into for any barber college you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Rowlett TX residence, in addition to the expense of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary qualifiers. Whether you would like to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will no doubt be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are even more factors that you need to research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber school. Following we have put together some of those additional questions that you should ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber training program you enroll in is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national agency, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must meet their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be important for getting student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not available in Rowlett TX for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in several states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, numerous employers will not employ recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon those with accredited training.
Does the School have a Great Reputation? Each barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to outstanding reputation within the field. Being accredited is a good starting point. Next, ask the schools for references 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 demanded. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Rowlett 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 might even be able to recommend others that you had not considered. And finally, check with the Texas school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints filed or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? A number of beauty schools offer programs that are broad in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you pick a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective 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 aspiration is to open a barber shop in Rowlett TX, then you want to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly regarded school with a weak program in barbering will not provide the training you need.
Is Any Live Training Provided? Practicing and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves plenty of practice on volunteers. Check how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a Rowlett TX barber college furnishes little or no scheduled live training, but rather relies mainly on the use of mannequins, it may not be the most effective option for acquiring your skills. Therefore look for other schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? When a student graduates from a barber college, it's important that she or he gets assistance in finding that first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer help develop relationships with local employers that are looking for trained graduates available for hiring. Confirm that the schools you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Rowlett TX area shops and organizations they refer students to. Additionally, find out what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only affirm that they have extensive networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? 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 office. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school belongs to the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships accessible to students too. If a school meets all of your other qualifications except for cost, do not drop it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be available in Rowlett TX.