Questions to Ask Barbering Schools
Following is a list of questions that you should research for any barber school you are considering. As we have previously discussed, the location of the school relative to your San Juan TX residence, as well as the cost of tuition, will undoubtedly be your primary 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 initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber training program. Below we have collected some of those additional questions that you need to ask every school before making a final selection.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's essential to make certain that the barber college you pick 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 measure up to their high standards guaranteeing a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation can also be important for securing student loans or financial aid, which frequently are not obtainable in San Juan TX for non- accredited schools. It's also a criteria for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of 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? Every barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the profession. Being accredited is an excellent beginning. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of employers where they have placed their students. Confirm that the schools have high job placement rates, showing that their students are highly sought after. Check rating companies for reviews together with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any contacts with San Juan TX barber shop owners or managers, or someone working in the business, ask them if they are acquainted with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to suggest others that you had not considered. Finally, check with the Texas school licensing authority to see if there have been any complaints submitted or if the schools are in total compliance.
What’s the School’s Specialty? Some cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a particular specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs commonly expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you select a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your objective 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 open a barber shop in San Juan TX, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly rated school with a weak program in barbering will not deliver the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering skills and techniques requires plenty of practice on people. Check how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber courses you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on campus that enable students to practice their growing talents on real people. If a San Juan TX barber school provides little or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on utilizing mannequins, it might not be the best option for developing your skills. So search for alternate schools that provide this kind of training.
Does the School have a Job Placement Program? As soon as a student graduates from a barber college, it's imperative that he or she gets help in landing that very first job. Job placement programs are an important part of that process. Schools that offer aid develop relationships with local businesses that are seeking trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the schools you are contemplating have job placement programs and ask which San Juan TX area shops and establishments they refer students to. Additionally, ask what their job placement rates are. High rates not only affirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Ask if the schools you are reviewing have a financial aid department. Talk to a counselor and find out what student loans or grants you might qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships offered to students as well. If a school fulfills all of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not drop it as an option until you learn what financial assistance may be offered in San Juan TX.