What to Ask Barbering Schools
Below is a series of questions that you will want to look into for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have already covered, the location of the school relative to your Stafford TX residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your initial qualifiers. Whether you wish to earn a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school options based on those preliminary qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and consider before enrolling in a barber school. Below we have collected several of those supplemental questions that you need to ask each school before making a final decision.
Is the Barber School Accredited? It's important to make certain that the barber school you choose is accredited. The accreditation should be by a U.S. Department of Education recognized local or national organization, such as the National Accrediting Commission for Cosmetology Arts & Sciences (NACCAS). Schools accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a superior curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for obtaining student loans or financial aid, which often are not available in Stafford TX for non- accredited schools. It's also a requirement for licensing in some 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 a Good Reputation? Every barber college that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to exceptional reputation within the industry. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials 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 sought after. Check rating companies for reviews in addition to the school's accrediting agencies. If you have any connections with Stafford TX barber shop owners or managers, or anyone working in the trade, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are reviewing. They may even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. And last, contact 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? Many cosmetology schools offer programs that are broad in nature, concentrating on all facets of cosmetology. Others are more focused, offering training in a specific specialty, such as barbering. Schools that offer degree programs typically broaden into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's imperative that you pick a school that focuses on 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 respected for that program. If your aspiration is to launch a barber shop in Stafford TX, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will teach you how to be an owner/operator. Picking a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Enough Hands-On Training Provided? Studying and mastering barbering skills and techniques involves lots of practice on people. Find out how much live, hands-on training is provided in the barber classes you will be attending. Some schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their developing talents on volunteers. If a Stafford TX barber college offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but instead relies predominantly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best alternative for acquiring your skills. Therefore try to find alternate schools that offer this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? As soon as a student graduates from a barber school, it's crucial that he or she gets help in securing that first job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with local businesses that are searching for trained graduates available for hiring. Check that the programs you are considering have job placement programs and ask which Stafford TX area shops and businesses they refer students to. In addition, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only verify that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Aid Offered? Most 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. Speak with 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 available to students also. If a school satisfies each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not discard it as an alternative until you determine what financial help may be offered in Stafford TX.