Questions to Ask Barber Colleges
Following is a series of questions that you need to research for any barber school you are contemplating. As we have previously covered, the location of the school in relation to your Sammamish WA residence, in addition to the price of tuition, will undoubtedly be your first qualifiers. Whether you want to pursue a certificate, diploma or a degree will probably be next on your list. But once you have narrowed your school choices based on those initial qualifications, there are additional factors that you should research and take into consideration before enrolling in a barber college. Below we have compiled several of those supplemental questions that you should ask each school before making a final determination.
Is the Barber College Accredited? It's necessary to make certain that the barber training program you select 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). Programs accredited by the NACCAS must comply with their high standards ensuring a quality curriculum and education. Accreditation may also be essential for getting student loans or financial aid, which typically are not obtainable in Sammamish WA for non- accredited schools. It's also a prerequisite for licensing in some states that the training be accredited. And as a concluding benefit, a number of employers will not hire recent graduates of non-accredited schools, or might look more positively upon individuals with accredited training.
Does the School have a Good Reputation? Any barber school that you are seriously evaluating should have a good to excellent reputation within the field. Being accredited is an excellent starting point. Next, ask the schools for testimonials from their network of businesses where they have placed their students. Check that the schools have high job placement rates, signifying that their students are highly regarded. Visit rating companies for reviews along with the school's accrediting organizations. If you have any connections with Sammamish WA barber shop owners or managers, or any person working in the field, ask them if they are familiar with the schools you are considering. They might even be able to recommend others that you had not looked into. Finally, contact the Washington school licensing authority to find out if there have been any grievances filed or if the schools are in full compliance.
What’s the School’s Focus? A number of cosmetology schools offer programs that are comprehensive in nature, focusing on all areas of cosmetology. Others are more focused, providing training in a specific specialty, for example barbering. Schools that offer degree programs frequently expand into a management and marketing curriculum. So it's essential that you enroll in a school that specializes in your area of interest. Since your goal is to be trained as a barber, make sure that the school you enroll in is accredited and respected for that program. If your desire is to start a barber shop in Sammamish WA, then you need to enroll in a degree program that will instruct you how to be an owner/operator. Selecting a highly ranked school with a poor program in barbering will not provide the training you require.
Is Plenty of Hands-On Training Provided? Learning and mastering barbering techniques and abilities demands lots of practice on volunteers. Find out how much live, hands-on training is included in the barber lessons you will be attending. A number of schools have shops on site that allow students to practice their growing talents on volunteers. If a Sammamish WA barber school offers minimal or no scheduled live training, but rather depends mainly on the use of mannequins, it might not be the best option for acquiring your skills. Therefore search for alternate schools that furnish this kind of training.
Does the School Provide Job Assistance? When a student graduates from a barber school, it's important that he or she receives help in securing that initial job. Job placement programs are an integral part of that process. Schools that provide assistance develop relationships with area businesses that are searching for skilled graduates available for hiring. Verify that the schools you are looking at have job placement programs and find out which Sammamish WA area shops and establishments they refer students to. Also, ask what their job placement rates are. Higher rates not only confirm that they have wide networks of employers, but that their programs are highly regarded as well.
Is Financial Assistance Offered? Many barber schools offer financial aid or student loan assistance for their students. Find out if the schools you are considering have a financial aid department. Speak with a counselor and learn what student loans or grants you may qualify for. If the school is a member of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), it will have scholarships available to students as well. If a school fulfills each of your other qualifications with the exception of expense, do not omit it as an option before you learn what financial assistance may be offered in Sammamish WA.